tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53507838210161986932018-05-17T00:53:32.344-07:00Mormon GeeksSix geeks. Six Mormons. One Fantastic Blog!Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.comBlogger546125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-5686802377170793222018-05-07T14:37:00.000-07:002018-05-08T10:34:23.369-07:00Top TV Moms<br /><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Mother’s Day! Or at least it will be in a few days. So consider this your reminder so that you can plan something special for your mom before the Primary kids start singing their songs in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday. As for this post, I’ve put together a list of a few wonderful TV moms that were total rock stars. With all the parent/child drama on TV, take comfort in these solid TV moms.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp--O4aNSWs/WvDEK5ztMkI/AAAAAAAAITM/7rtB_roDgkkMYJEWBTkTNjudN6WEmQAOwCLcBGAs/s1600/yuuko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="670" height="149" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp--O4aNSWs/WvDEK5ztMkI/AAAAAAAAITM/7rtB_roDgkkMYJEWBTkTNjudN6WEmQAOwCLcBGAs/s200/yuuko.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She changed a lot since her first encounter</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yuuko Kamiya (Digimon)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">She appeared in all three Digimon adventure series. She was a bit clueless to the kids’ adventures in Seasons 1 and 2, but in the Digimon Adventure Tri movies (released 2015-2016), she was shown to be supportive of her two Digi-Destined kids and their Digimon partners. While everyone else in Tokyo was panicking about the Digimon attacks, Yuuko kept a calm head, trusting her kids and their friends to take care of all the attacks. Just like in the Season 2 finale, she displayed faith in the Digi-Destined and her only concern was making sure the kids and the Digimon had enough food.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnwojPdW9EM/WvDFAt_ua0I/AAAAAAAAITU/2CjWrjUWRbAKUbKKSyJdafPKPtX8gaFeACLcBGAs/s1600/regina%2Bmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="618" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnwojPdW9EM/WvDFAt_ua0I/AAAAAAAAITU/2CjWrjUWRbAKUbKKSyJdafPKPtX8gaFeACLcBGAs/s200/regina%2Bmills.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about character development</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">She adopted Henry to fill a void in her heart caused by killing her father and spent the next ten years faking who she was. Before her redemption arc (seasons 1-3) she was kind of a poor mother, in many respects, but by the end of Season 3 she had redeemed herself to the Charmings and to her son, enough that by Season 7 she was purely a hero focused on helping Henry on his adventures. She dropped everything in Storybrooke to be with her son and help him succeed. Also, as shown in “Is This Henry Mills?” (episode 7.20, so <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>spoiler alert</u></b>, guys) she displayed great faith in her son by trusting him to make very big, important decisions about his future, even though it eventually meant him leaving the realm itself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_DbC6Dkl5Y/WvDF4JJqVvI/AAAAAAAAITg/_FBUsrg1PfQ9wmL2fQZLEgRQCuxiG_lOQCLcBGAs/s1600/shirley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_DbC6Dkl5Y/WvDF4JJqVvI/AAAAAAAAITg/_FBUsrg1PfQ9wmL2fQZLEgRQCuxiG_lOQCLcBGAs/s200/shirley.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much sass</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shirley Bennett (Community)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">When the series began, Shirley was the recently divorced single mother of two young children. The thing I respect the most about her is that instead of wallowing in her husband’s betrayal and the subsequent divorce, Shirley did what she had to take control of her life and eventually care for her kids. Fast forward, she ended up re-marrying her husband, but her drive to create a better life for her kids is one of the things I find most admirable about her.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJae2cuJGGU/WvDGPgLryqI/AAAAAAAAITo/AHuaAUVm0tMufCv-dSEDlg_L3pYWpwf4ACLcBGAs/s1600/jackie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1330" height="114" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJae2cuJGGU/WvDGPgLryqI/AAAAAAAAITo/AHuaAUVm0tMufCv-dSEDlg_L3pYWpwf4ACLcBGAs/s200/jackie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not above sassing the Doctor</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jackie Tyler (Doctor Who)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Her daughter Rose left with the Ninth Doctor and flew off into the night for at least two adventures before returning to London a year later. Even after her daughter had been missing a year, Jackie reluctantly let her daughter fly around time and space with an unknown man. She was the first mother of a companion to be featured and she did not disappoint. Naturally she’d go crazy, with her daughter missing for a year, but her faith in and love for her daughter was unwavering, even to the point of moving to a parallel universe to be with her daughter.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDP7eSTvlfI/WvDGgQTjM6I/AAAAAAAAITw/tNBzFLqP4DoKJDRtEkCmMLQwl_OknvNuACLcBGAs/s1600/claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1260" height="110" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDP7eSTvlfI/WvDGgQTjM6I/AAAAAAAAITw/tNBzFLqP4DoKJDRtEkCmMLQwl_OknvNuACLcBGAs/s200/claire.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back before she was Belle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Claire Littleton (Lost)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The reluctant single mother crash-landed on the Island eight-months pregnant. The thing I love most about her is that in the three seasons that she mothered Aaron, she stepped up to the job. Sure, Sun and Charlie and others helped out, but from the moment her son was born, she held on tight. So going from putting him up for adoption, to becoming the Island crazy-lady when he was kidnapped, I have to respect Claire for never giving up as a mother.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQ4b6pvBgo/WvDGvBkx7BI/AAAAAAAAIT0/F1RW74nbW_cRP4V-NQ0zpdToICgx4KdVACLcBGAs/s1600/dinah.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQ4b6pvBgo/WvDGvBkx7BI/AAAAAAAAIT0/F1RW74nbW_cRP4V-NQ0zpdToICgx4KdVACLcBGAs/s200/dinah.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will she return again? Spoilers ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dinah Lance (Arrow)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">She’s only appeared in seven episodes of Arrow, but I’ve been rewatching the show lately and certain aspects of her character really impress me in Seasons 1 and 2. First of all, it’s not exactly clear how or why she left her husband, but it’s implied that it happened after Quentin started his binge-drinking after Sara’s apparent death. So I have to respect Dinah for (presumably) getting out of a bad situation with an alcoholic and moving on with her life. I also love her faith in Season 1 that Sara was alive. Really, it was probably just blind faith because Oliver had returned to civilization, but her blind faith paid off when Sara returned in Season 2.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who are your favorite TV moms? What’s the best surprise you ever made for your mom for Mother’s Day? <o:p></o:p></div><br />Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-89865829221405366682018-04-30T14:26:00.001-07:002018-04-30T14:26:25.581-07:00Avengers 4: Potential Titles<br /><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Infinity War” has been out less than a week and of course people are already theorizing about the sequel Avengers film coming out next year. We were previously told that Avengers 4’s title was a spoiler for “Infinity War”. Now that it’s premiered, let’s theorize what the next movie will be called. As such, there will be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">spoilers ahead</b>. So between talking to my brother and looking around the internet, here are some ideas I came up with.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Psyf-H1iM/WueIs9cfkII/AAAAAAAAISM/pjH35NSVNc4mFNWj4MbbZQbD0oUDuaZRQCEwYBhgL/s1600/iron%2Bman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Psyf-H1iM/WueIs9cfkII/AAAAAAAAISM/pjH35NSVNc4mFNWj4MbbZQbD0oUDuaZRQCEwYBhgL/s320/iron%2Bman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="text-align: center;">Avengers: Disassembled</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The “Avengers” roster kind of exploded during this movie with the Guardians, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man. And then at the end of the movie these pseudo-Avengers were literally “disassembled”. So it would make sense that a large part of this next movie would be about bringing these heroes back into existence. Even the remaining heroes are “disassembled”; between physical distance (Nebula and Iron Man on Titan), emotional distance (after “Civil War”), or just not knowing each other (Rocket and the Wakandans), there isn’t much pulling these characters together. So between pulling our remaining heroes together and bringing our dissolved heroes back, “Disassembled” could be a valid title.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKF9ZC8D5GE/WueJBe3MBWI/AAAAAAAAISU/8pe_lsxoMRgC2w4s5rQ7xMpvb2Nm3AT5QCLcBGAs/s1600/captain%2Bamerica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKF9ZC8D5GE/WueJBe3MBWI/AAAAAAAAISU/8pe_lsxoMRgC2w4s5rQ7xMpvb2Nm3AT5QCLcBGAs/s320/captain%2Bamerica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Avengers Reassemble<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Similar to “Disassembled”, this would focus the movie on bringing our heroes, dead and alive, together in order to put the universe back in order and stop Thanos once and for all. The difference here would be the theme and focus of the movie. Someone pointed out to me that (assuming Hawkeye is still alive), all six of our original Avengers survived Thanos’s snap. As I previously pointed out, the Civil War and the distance of space have torn them apart. As a result, just as they had to put aside their differences and assemble in “The Avengers”, it’ll be time for our heroes to pull together and fight back against Thanos’s forces, just like before.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMx-p3d3sEQ/WueJTXgKbRI/AAAAAAAAISc/XhG6H3iM0D89TcO8oOWdNem3flSg2OKcACLcBGAs/s1600/doctor%2Bstrange.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="640" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMx-p3d3sEQ/WueJTXgKbRI/AAAAAAAAISc/XhG6H3iM0D89TcO8oOWdNem3flSg2OKcACLcBGAs/s320/doctor%2Bstrange.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Avengers: End Game</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">My brother reminded me that Doctor Strange saw millions of outcomes of their battle with Thanos. Only one resulted in their victory. I had originally thought Star-Lord messed up their one shot, but it hadn’t occurred to me that our mystical surgeon foresaw Quill losing his cool and giving the Time Stone to Thanos. That would mean that this is all part of the plan. Doctor Strange straight up said that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i>is the end game”. Avengers 4 is “this” and it is likely all part of the end game that Stephen Strange predicted.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EwiWoQsLrkw/WueJoZhJiQI/AAAAAAAAISk/tGwH_mlTdMoIgA74Vt9iByIkvGLEhhmFgCLcBGAs/s1600/thor%2Brocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EwiWoQsLrkw/WueJoZhJiQI/AAAAAAAAISk/tGwH_mlTdMoIgA74Vt9iByIkvGLEhhmFgCLcBGAs/s320/thor%2Brocket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Last Avengers<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">As noted before, five of the original six Avengers are confirmed alive. These “last Avengers” will inevitably play a key role in returning the world to normal. We also know that this will be the last movie for a number of our key players, giving the title another meaning, as it will be the last Avengers movie. This title also hearkens back to Captain America’s first movie “The First Avenger”. It would be very fitting for the phase three finale to have a title that mirrors our earliest hero.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNEszMLJtyc/WueJ374DhVI/AAAAAAAAISs/moowjVfcO9MhtEhhNUI2vLnZ8-hwDmDTgCLcBGAs/s1600/spiderman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNEszMLJtyc/WueJ374DhVI/AAAAAAAAISs/moowjVfcO9MhtEhhNUI2vLnZ8-hwDmDTgCLcBGAs/s320/spiderman.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The New Avengers<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Just as our original Avengers have their finale in Avengers 4 (one way or another), it would make sense for a new team of heroes to fill their shoes. I’m not familiar with the comics, but I know there’s a team call “The New Avengers”. Among their ranks are some of our Phase Three heroes, Luke Cage (from Netflix), Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Iron Fist (also from Netflix), Mockingbird (from Agents of SHIELD), and many others. We also have a couple characters previously owned by Fox, Wolverine and The Thing. I have little confidence we’d see any of the Netflix heroes or X-Men in Avengers 4, but we’ll be seeing more of them in one form or another. So at the same time we’ll retire Captain America and Iron Man, we could very easily get a new team with Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What did you think of “Infinity War”? Any theories for Avengers 4? Don’t forget we still have “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Captain Marvel” to be released before then. How do you think they will play into the sequel?<o:p></o:p></div><br /><br />Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-45053296772068405932018-04-11T09:53:00.002-07:002018-04-11T09:53:46.326-07:00Marvel Puzzle Quest-Free Game ReviewI know this game has been out for a while, but since I've been playing so much of it lately I figured I'd toss my two cents into the hat.<br /><br />Marvel Puzzle Quest is a Candy Crush clone complete with the micro-payment extravaganza that has been plaguing modern games like tuberculosis, but with the difference being that Marvel Puzzle Quest isn't pay-to-win, it's grind-to-win.<br /><br />The grind-to-win model is a response to the play-to-win issue of course, that response being "Alright if you don't want to give us money then you're jolly well going to give us as much of your time as you possibly can and jolly well like it!" The big question is if the grinding is worth it?<br /><br />In a word... Yes?<br /><br />So the hook of the game is that you build a team of your favorite Marvel characters with their different powers that damage an opposing team of characters and the drop downs trigger damage and different abilities. This functions remarkably well, since the drop down gameplay is proven to be a great game mechanic in the free to play market. The game features a good 100+ characters to mess around with, from the well known and overused Wolverine to the lesser known like Moonstone and 800 versions of Black Widow for some reason.<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbDqwbYKA3M/Ws49eMVxBbI/AAAAAAAANbQ/NUYdD7RisXMe_zuaZEqowZRrKljznQFbgCLcBGAs/s1600/mpq_final_promo_art%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbDqwbYKA3M/Ws49eMVxBbI/AAAAAAAANbQ/NUYdD7RisXMe_zuaZEqowZRrKljznQFbgCLcBGAs/s320/mpq_final_promo_art%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Now let's say there's a character or characters that you would love to have because you think they're just the bees knees, either for gameplay or because you have all their comics, like Iron Fist. Well good luck unlocking them because the characters are behind an unlock wall that spits out a random character once you've ground long enough to be welcomed in for a try. Usually you'd just get more of the special currency that helps you occasionally level up your characters and is good for nothing else or endless copies of characters too weak to use or too useless to care about.<br /><br />If you're fine with paying then the funds aren't much help, since all money will get you is more opportunities to try your luck at the spandex lottery. To add insult to injury the price for these spins increases the more you buy, either with the special and hard to get in-game currency it takes to open them or with that hard-earned cash, so the game fights you at every turn to get the guys you want.<br /><br />Now I said that the grind is worth it with a question mark, and that's because if you do put in the grind which is usually playing a few games every 3-4 hours, you can start unlocking about a character every few days. This doesn't seem like much, but the drop-down gameplay is still entertaining and the wonky comic book stories they come up with is still enjoyable enough to have it on your phone with few regrets.<br /><br />Pros: Visuals, gameplay, and eventually playing your favorite Marvel characters.<br /><br />Cons: Grind, randomization of picking up characters, Nothing worthwhile behind the pay wall.<br /><br />What's your thoughts on this? Have you played?<br /><br />If you have and like it join our alliance- Magnitos Right<br /><br />-JOEJoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-17527344183271065022018-03-30T09:41:00.003-07:002018-03-30T09:41:23.578-07:00The White Witch's Mistake<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #141414; font-family: &quot;Droid Serif&quot;; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">(This post was originally posted on&nbsp;<a href="http://wisepurpose.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-white-witchs-mistake.html" style="color: #ff9000; text-decoration-line: none;">my personal blog&nbsp;</a>in May 2013)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ieQjxdn-R7g/Wr5oijH6F5I/AAAAAAAAIQ4/TkMjMLHmj0swhswoH4u_nlM7vhAG51dowCLcBGAs/s1600/white%2Bwitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ieQjxdn-R7g/Wr5oijH6F5I/AAAAAAAAIQ4/TkMjMLHmj0swhswoH4u_nlM7vhAG51dowCLcBGAs/s320/white%2Bwitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">"Did you honestly think that by all this you could save the human traitor? You are giving me your life and saving no one. So much for love." --The White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 2005 movie)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">How often do you hear this lie from Satan in regard to the Atonement? How often does he tell you that you 'wasted" the Savior's blood? It's never wasted. The Atonement is always available to save you. And no matter which side you choose, Satan will lose and Christ will win.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I have to wonder what lies Satan told the Savior as He suffered in Gethsemane, as He mocked that night, and as He crucified on Calvary. I imagine it was similar to what the Witch said to Aslan. “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35H56NhSg2Q">So much for love</a>.” I can see Satan whispering to the Savior as He kneeled in Gethsemane, “You are in so much pain and yet they won’t repent. They’re mine anyway. You’re wasting your time. You are suffering and killing Yourself for no good reason.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfPXiJWvqY0/Wr5omlxPA5I/AAAAAAAAIQ8/am7fEeuy-B8BRf-kWzpnEcHUG1UdeFvSgCLcBGAs/s1600/atonement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfPXiJWvqY0/Wr5omlxPA5I/AAAAAAAAIQ8/am7fEeuy-B8BRf-kWzpnEcHUG1UdeFvSgCLcBGAs/s320/atonement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I think he also tells each of us the same lies. “You have gone too far. You can’t repent now. It’s too late. You might as well give up. Christ suffered for you and you’ve gone too far; you’ve wasted His blood.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Narnia has been one of my favorites for years! Aslan being a type of Christ has taught me so much about the Atonement, from something as commonly understood as Aslan sacrificing himself to save Edmund from the White Witch (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), to something as intimate for me as Aslan quietly protect Shasta (The Horse and His Boy).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Like Edmund, we have all made mistakes, betrayed those we love, told lies, gotten angry, and said things we didn’t mean. Like Edmund, we have all felt guilt and remorse for those mistakes. And (hopefully) like Edmund, that remorse has pushed us toward humility and repentance in order to make amends for what we’ve done.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsUhKuAOibE/Wr5opzj4BbI/AAAAAAAAIRA/hFYXuleyJN0TsE3yS3zeos1UP2mwXUcXgCLcBGAs/s1600/aslan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XsUhKuAOibE/Wr5opzj4BbI/AAAAAAAAIRA/hFYXuleyJN0TsE3yS3zeos1UP2mwXUcXgCLcBGAs/s320/aslan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Look forward to more Narnia posts. I’ve been hoping to do them for a long while and now it’s just time!<o:p></o:p></div><br />Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-18453116328297956792018-03-17T11:29:00.003-07:002018-03-17T11:29:46.015-07:00Fantastic Beasts: The Potential Storylines<br /><div class="MsoNormal">This week we got our trailer for the “Fantastic Beasts” sequel: “The Crimes of Grindewald”. As JK Rowling’s wizarding world continues to expand, we get more and more glimpses into the pre-Harry Potter era of it all. Seven books and nine movies in, we’re probably only scratching the surface. But from what we know, here are a few things I’d like to see in this next movie (or at least by the end of the Fantastic Beasts series). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WARNING: Spoilers from the new Fantastic Beasts trailer.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6aCBy7q6O8/Wq1ePLL5RUI/AAAAAAAAIQA/Mw_o7v7rZtsrFhHxvV0o3Z6BoepYMD-VgCLcBGAs/s1600/aragog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="607" height="125" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6aCBy7q6O8/Wq1ePLL5RUI/AAAAAAAAIQA/Mw_o7v7rZtsrFhHxvV0o3Z6BoepYMD-VgCLcBGAs/s200/aragog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hagrid and Aragog:</b>Likely not in this movie, but seeing as the Fantastic Beasts movies are said to span 19 years (1926-1945), there’s a chance we could see Hagrid meet Aragog. As we met a new awkward friend fond of magical creatures, it’s not unreasonable to think that Newt is the one who gives Aragog to Hagrid. If the Chamber of Secrets was opened by Tom Riddle in the early 40s, we still have plenty of time for the Big Friendly Half-Giant to appear.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odBW3-OP6ZM/Wq1eSeE8ahI/AAAAAAAAIQE/ggGad6m9u1QoDeVSVRAap2cpBbi8NbvNwCLcBGAs/s1600/tom%2Briddle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="650" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odBW3-OP6ZM/Wq1eSeE8ahI/AAAAAAAAIQE/ggGad6m9u1QoDeVSVRAap2cpBbi8NbvNwCLcBGAs/s200/tom%2Briddle.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Voldemort’s Beginnings:</b> Not that we necessarily need backstory on Voldemort (since “The Chamber of Secrets” and “The Half-Blood Prince” already basically did that) but it would be interesting to see glimpses or cameos of Voldemort’s past as the war against Grindewald happens. Presumably Tom Riddle Jr would be in the orphanage for the first half of the “Fantastic Beasts” series, so a cameo could be possible, but perhaps not probable.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxYWKJdrqL8/Wq1eVT8lO4I/AAAAAAAAIQI/1mwODLSAwaA_AGEu0U_tzdrXAds7Qw8CwCLcBGAs/s1600/newt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1330" height="96" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxYWKJdrqL8/Wq1eVT8lO4I/AAAAAAAAIQI/1mwODLSAwaA_AGEu0U_tzdrXAds7Qw8CwCLcBGAs/s200/newt.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Newt’s Backstory:</b>We got glimpses into Newt’s past with the first “Fantastic Beasts” movie, but I don’t think it’d be unreasonable to see his flashbacks of his time at Hogwarts. Maybe learn why he was expelled (and why he got to keep his wand?) and maybe learn a bit about Leta Lestrange. Especially since the trailer makes it look like we’re visiting Hogwarts, it wouldn’t be too crazy for Newt to have a few flashbacks.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJE15wTe3qA/Wq1eYUW3vxI/AAAAAAAAIQM/IPTlE0lw5VAT2oDT8xRYzrhhNEAla8N_QCLcBGAs/s1600/luna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="950" height="111" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJE15wTe3qA/Wq1eYUW3vxI/AAAAAAAAIQM/IPTlE0lw5VAT2oDT8xRYzrhhNEAla8N_QCLcBGAs/s200/luna.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Newt’s Future:</b> To contrast my last comment, it would be interesting (more just for the fun of it) to see a “flashforward” for Newt at the end of the last movie. Maybe show that the “Fantastic Beasts” series was him or his son telling Newt’s grandkids or great-grandkids about his adventures. Maybe even get Evanna Lynch to reprise her role as Luna Lovegood, as she marries Newt’s grandson.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTjaTOGNqw/Wq1egarEMpI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/SlEnBUC8QBUZ9yyf2oo_c5IiNwa77WBCwCLcBGAs/s1600/dumbledore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTjaTOGNqw/Wq1egarEMpI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/SlEnBUC8QBUZ9yyf2oo_c5IiNwa77WBCwCLcBGAs/s200/dumbledore.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dumbledore’s History:</b>From the trailer, we know we’re supposed to see Dumbledore. Since the series is supposed to end around the time that Dumbledore defeats Grindewald (can’t remember if we’re supposed to see that battle or not) it would be likely that we’ll at least get some dialogue about the Dumbledore and Grindewald families (if not flashbacks). It could be controversial to show a romance between Dumbledore and Grindewald, but I think we can at least expect to see their friendship addressed.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">What other tidbits from the “Harry Potter” books would you like to see in the “Fantastic Beasts” movies? Any characters revealed by JK Rowling that you’d like to see younger cameos from? Maybe a young McGonagall. That’d be cool. Granted, she’d only be 10 by the end of the series, but still. <o:p></o:p></div><br />Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-27124695222335390892018-03-09T08:32:00.000-08:002018-03-09T08:32:01.285-08:00The Ninth Doctor<br /><div class="MsoNormal">So after watching all of Classic Doctor Who over the past two and a half years (and writing about it for two years) I’m finally at Modern Doctor Who! So without further ado, here’s my first Doctor: Christopher Eccleston.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WjS6fv-YOs/WqHcWxZFf9I/AAAAAAAAIPc/X8aVLeF0HXkx73PBdrZ67u2PXwdegLLWACLcBGAs/s1600/ninth%2Bdoctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1280" height="184" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WjS6fv-YOs/WqHcWxZFf9I/AAAAAAAAIPc/X8aVLeF0HXkx73PBdrZ67u2PXwdegLLWACLcBGAs/s320/ninth%2Bdoctor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Series 1<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAPXTCpNpjY/WqHbSzU2Q7I/AAAAAAAAIPE/zkB_oK9q5jc0wPF_kPv20feisMbpTM2ogCLcBGAs/s1600/parting%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1200" height="114" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAPXTCpNpjY/WqHbSzU2Q7I/AAAAAAAAIPE/zkB_oK9q5jc0wPF_kPv20feisMbpTM2ogCLcBGAs/s200/parting%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bways.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The show regenerated</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Top Story: Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was really a hard choice between the finale and “The Empty Child”/“The Doctor Dances” for top choice. In fact in my first draft of this post, I picked it. But I wanted to choice the two-part finale, because of its firsts. This was the first time since <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2017/07/the-fourth-doctor-22.html">the Key to Time series</a> that Doctor Who had an overall story for the season, instead of just individual adventures. Through the season “Bad Wolf” popped up occasionally and then got resolved in the finale. This trend has continued through Modern Doctor Who, ever since. It was also the first modern regeneration, so we gotta enjoy the introduction of David Tennant.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Flop Story: Boom Town<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was this or “The Long Game”. However, this story was just unnecessary. I have no issue with the Slitheen. Considering that Doctor Who was bound to have poor special effects on its first season back, of course the aliens were going to be weird. But their original story and their reprisal in “The Sarah Jane Adventures” were good. This was just an unnecessary revival of a supposedly dead character, just to have a story. <o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k2Ffruwpys/WqHbaoRdUcI/AAAAAAAAIPI/K-xQmVabnpI0KH4vFZW31_pv6sh9XduZQCLcBGAs/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k2Ffruwpys/WqHbaoRdUcI/AAAAAAAAIPI/K-xQmVabnpI0KH4vFZW31_pv6sh9XduZQCLcBGAs/s200/rose.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Run!"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Honorable Mention: Rose<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is how new Doctor stories need to be. What the Eighth Doctor movie did wrong was assuming that viewers knew the Doctor, knew regeneration, and knew the TARDIS. In this story, we learn about the Doctor and the TARDIS as Rose does, making it easier for new viewers. This was repeated to some extent with Martha and Bill, making easy points for new viewers to come in without committing to 20+ years of Doctor Who before getting caught up. Granted the Autons were odd, but it was a nice throwback to the old <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/06/the-third-doctor.html">Third Doctor </a>villain. Since the show is 50+ years old now, it needs stories like this to bring in new blood.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">COMPANIONS:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Rose<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Rose - (10th Doctor)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Adam<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Dalek - The Long Game<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jack<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The Empty Child - The Parting of the Ways<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SBXYnt9cPM/WqHbrf_7i0I/AAAAAAAAIPM/6yFsfuCRrI4l2Ze2uqoFDAIpOHS8yr5kACLcBGAs/s1600/rose%2Beyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6SBXYnt9cPM/WqHbrf_7i0I/AAAAAAAAIPM/6yFsfuCRrI4l2Ze2uqoFDAIpOHS8yr5kACLcBGAs/s200/rose%2Beyes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Favorite Companion:</b>It seems like Rose gets a lot of flack from the fanbase, but I like her. Granted, she and the Ninth Doctor were my first pair I ever saw together consistently (I started with “Blink” and then went back) but this pair worked together. Rose had the character development that I’d want for all companions. She went from working in retail to saving the universe and even matching wits with the Doctor a few times. To be fair, I would have preferred she kept her ending at the end of Series 2 with the Tenth Doctor, but I enjoyed seeing her return in Series 4, so I can’t complain.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPBKBtA9u5g/WqHcAK1zb4I/AAAAAAAAIPU/lFfwlbIgi9ERVg9hvb3oKHbgp4soGjPJwCLcBGAs/s1600/adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="296" height="114" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPBKBtA9u5g/WqHcAK1zb4I/AAAAAAAAIPU/lFfwlbIgi9ERVg9hvb3oKHbgp4soGjPJwCLcBGAs/s200/adam.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Least Favorite Companion:</b> Adam. Just Adam. I don’t know anyone in the fanbase who likes Adam. He hitched a ride in 2012, went to the future, and then got thrown out back at home. We all like to forget about Adam, but he was an unfortunate side effect of time travel I suppose. Above all else, he sucked because he was the one companion to use traveling in the TARDIS for personal gain (unless you count <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2017/09/the-fifth-doctor.html">Turlough </a>working for the Black Guardian). He did get some “redemption” in the 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary comic series called “Prisoners of Time”, but regardless he’s still down low on my list of companions. ALL companion (even including Adric).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What was your favorite Ninth Doctor story? You did watch the Ninth Doctor right? We don’t skip Nine here. So go watch Nine. Now. Just go.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnyyXvISVSs/WqHcaYTigEI/AAAAAAAAIPg/YhMk8N8GnUob_u47pdNfkQtRjVqmQLtAwCLcBGAs/s1600/jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="600" height="197" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnyyXvISVSs/WqHcaYTigEI/AAAAAAAAIPg/YhMk8N8GnUob_u47pdNfkQtRjVqmQLtAwCLcBGAs/s320/jacket.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was once told that <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2017/11/the-sixth-doctor.html">Colin Baker </a>wanted the Sixth Doctor to have this outfit. Tough luck.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-88253946400766230462018-02-27T09:20:00.000-08:002018-02-27T09:20:10.826-08:00Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 10<div class="MsoNormal">So back when I <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/02/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-1.html">started my Marvel Cinematic Universe posts</a>, ABC was part-way into Season 2 of “Agent Carter”. At that point, I had no way of watching Season 1 to catch up for Season 2. Recently I learned that Hulu had both seasons available. So as I’ve been binging the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe (everything: movies, Netflix shows, network shows, etc.) I worked “Agent Carter” into it all. So now that I’ve watched both seasons, it’s time to backtrack and cover Agent Peggy Carter’s adventures.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rTsEL9rKbk/WpWTAB364dI/AAAAAAAAIOU/71fLePeeed0sqofcOwvnVqqBBzD3k_-4ACLcBGAs/s1600/peggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rTsEL9rKbk/WpWTAB364dI/AAAAAAAAIOU/71fLePeeed0sqofcOwvnVqqBBzD3k_-4ACLcBGAs/s320/peggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Agent Carter: Season 1 (Episodes 1-8)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Season 1 follows Peggy and Edwin Jarvis trying to clear Howard Stark’s name. Meanwhile, Peggy needs to maintain her job at the SSR where she’s constantly undermined. So here we go.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><b>Now is Not the End:</b> In 1946, Peggy maintains her cover while working at the SSR. The SSR investigates Howard after his inventions get stolen. Howard asks Peggy to help clear his name. Jarvis helps Peggy recover Nitramene, ahead of the SSR. Jarvis and Peggy narrowly escape the implosion of Roxxon.</li><li><b>Bridge and Tunnel: </b>The SSR investigates the explosion at Roxxon. Peggy and Jarvis confront Brannis about the Nitramene. He dies in a conflict with a man in a green suit. Peggy finds a new place to stay.</li><li><b>Time and Tide: </b>Peggy meets Dottie Underwood. SSR Agent Thompson recovers Green Suit’s typewriter and discovers its transmitter. Thompson interrogates Jarvis. Peggy and Jarvis track the theft of Howard’s inventions and tip Agents Sousa and Krzeminski off. They get ambused and Krzeminski gets killed.</li><li><b>The Blitzkrieg Button: </b>SSR Chief Dooley investigates Finow. Peggy and Jarvis rescue Howard. Peggy retrieves the Blitzkrief Button, discovering Cap’s blood inside. Sousa investigates the tip. Peggy confronts Howard about Steve’s blood. An assassin comes for Peggy, but Dottie kills him. Peggy hides the blood.</li><li><b>The Iron Ceiling: </b>In 1937, the Red Room trains assassins. Dottie steals Peggy’s room key. The Remote Typewriter leaves a message at the SSR. Peggy translates it and recruits the 107th regiment to help the SSR. The SSR and the Howling Commandos infiltrate the Red Room. They bring Ivchenko back with them. Dooley questions Jarvis about Howard and Finow.</li><li><b>A Sin to Err: </b>Peggy and Jarvis try to track down a Red Room spy. Sousa investigates Peggy. Dottie and Ivchenko infiltrate the SSR. The SSR goes after Peggy. Peggy tries to escape but Dottie knocks her out.</li><li><b>Snafu: </b>The SSR interrogates Peggy. Jarvis brings a fake confession for Howard. Ivchenko steals Item 17 and leaves Dooley in an explosive vest. Dottie and Ivchenko deploy Item 17 at the movie theater, causing a massacre. Dooley dies in an explosion.</li><li><b>Valediction: </b>The SSR investigates the theater massacre. Howard gets captured by Ivchenko/Fennhoff, who hypnotizes Howard to drop the Midnight Oil (Item 17) on New York. Peggy breaks Howard out of his trance. Dottie escapes and Fennhoff is taken into custody.</li></ol><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcfZM0elvcE/WpWTEVnPiiI/AAAAAAAAIOY/VYtyII3gMtA7-WukFoKTiToZr-aZcODSwCLcBGAs/s1600/peggy%2Band%2Bangie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcfZM0elvcE/WpWTEVnPiiI/AAAAAAAAIOY/VYtyII3gMtA7-WukFoKTiToZr-aZcODSwCLcBGAs/s320/peggy%2Band%2Bangie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>The opening scenes of “Now is Not the End” recap Captain America’s “death” in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/02/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-1.html">The First Avenger</a>”.</li><li>Soviet scientist Anton Vanko appears in “Now is Not the End”. His son becomes the main villain in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/04/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-2.html">Iron Man 2</a>”.</li><li>The Red Room appears in “The Iron Celing”, which is where Black Widow says in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2017/12/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-8.html">Age of Ultron</a>” that she was trained.</li><li>Armin Zola, who appeared in “The First Avenger” and “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-5.html">The Winter Soldier</a>” appears in prison with Fennhoff in “Valediction”.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first season of Agent Carter was unsettling for me, but in a productive way. In a smaller way, it was like “Black Panther” and the discussion of racism. Taking place in the 40s, Peggy wasn’t exactly treated well by her male colleagues. It was unsettling (and probably understated compared to the real 1940s). It was a perfect opportunity for me to evaluate how I treat the women in my life. I also liked the mini-series format. About the time I’d start getting bored, the climax of the season happened.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA3aWt2ZzRU/WpWTIkZUq8I/AAAAAAAAIOc/YR8nDAhsQ68l3lMSaDxTBQdfPmf3bbJigCLcBGAs/s1600/peggy%2Band%2Bsousa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA3aWt2ZzRU/WpWTIkZUq8I/AAAAAAAAIOc/YR8nDAhsQ68l3lMSaDxTBQdfPmf3bbJigCLcBGAs/s320/peggy%2Band%2Bsousa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Agent Carter: Season 2 (Episodes 1-10)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><b>The Lady in the Lake:</b> Peggy captures Dottie. Peggy goes to LA to help Sousa with a case. Jarvis, Sousa, and Peggy investigate Isodyne Energy. Peggy questions Calvin Chadwick. The SSR rescues Jason Wilkes.</li><li><b>A View in the Dark:</b> The Council of Nine infuriates Chadwick. Peggy and Sousa investigate Isodyne Energy. Wilkes tells Peggy about Zero Matter. Wilkes and Peggy steal Zero Matter. In a confrontation, the Zero Matter absorbs Wilkes and infects Whitney Frost.</li><li><b>Better Angels:</b>Wilkes is framed as a communist spy by Frost. Peggy tries to spy on the Council of Nine. Thompson tries to bring Peggy back to New York. Sousa discovers Forst is scientist Agnes Cully. Peggy and Howard discover Wilkes stuck in the Zero Matter. Frost sends an assassin to kill Peggy after a confrontation. Thompson meets Chadwick. Frost accidentally kills her director.</li><li><b>Smoke &amp; Mirrors:</b> Growing up, Agnes Cully’s scientific ability is shunned before becoming actress Whitney Frost. Young Peggy buries her adventurous side until her brother dies. In the present, Frost experiments with her Zero Matter power. Sousa and Peggy interrogate Hunt. The SSR gets audited. Frost kills Hunt.</li><li><b>The Atomic Job:</b>Wilkes shows Peggy his Zero Matter powers. Sousa celebrates his engagement. Rose, Samberly, Peggy, Sousa, and Jarvis infiltrate Roxxon. Peggy fights Frost. Violet treats Peggy. Chadwick calls a meeting of the Council.</li><li><b>Life of the Party: </b>Peggy and Sousa try to stop Wilkes from disappearing. They recruit Dottie’s help. Dottie and Jarvis go after Frost, who meets with the Council of Nine. Frost kills half the Council, including Chadwick. Thompson captures Dottie.</li><li><b>Monsters: </b>Frost interrogates Dottie. Peggy and Jarvis go after Dottie. Frost goes after Wilkes, their Zero Matter making Wilkes tangible again. After Frost shoots Ana Jarvis, Dottie escapes and Masters takes control of the SSR.</li><li><b>The Edge of Mystery: </b>Frost observes Wilkes’s powers. Peggy and Sousa meet Manfredi. Thompson investigates Peggy. Jarvis, Sousa, and Peggy use fake uranium to trade with Frost. Masters retrieves the real uranium. Frost creates an atomic explosion, which absorbs Wilkes. Frost captures Peggy and Jarvis.</li><li><b>A Little Song and Dance:</b> Thompson, Samberly, and Sousa steal an SSR car. Peggy and Jarvis escape Frost and steal a truck. Thompson tries to double-cross Frost. Thompson tries to detonate a bomb on Frost. Wiles confronts Frost.</li><li><b>Hollywood Ending: </b>Frost absorbs the Zero Matter. Manfredi teams up with Stark, Peggy, and Jarvis.<b> </b>The team uses the Gamma Cannon to separate Frost from the Zero Matter. Jarvis uses the hovercar to close the rift. In the aftermath, Peggy starts a relationship with Sousa.</li></ol><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0UZm22Xf0M/WpWTMelIfTI/AAAAAAAAIOg/xxqsLjI2k1gf-Wxn-uBTAd1nzrRUZ6RDACLcBGAs/s1600/frost.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0UZm22Xf0M/WpWTMelIfTI/AAAAAAAAIOg/xxqsLjI2k1gf-Wxn-uBTAd1nzrRUZ6RDACLcBGAs/s320/frost.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>The Zero Matter is related to the Darkforce, involved in the powers of Daniels in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-5.html">The Only Light in the Darkness</a>” and Krupin in “Parting Shots”.</li><li>The Darkforce Dimension (where Zero Matter originates) is part of the Multiverse introduced in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Doctor%20Strange">Doctor Strange</a>”.</li><li>Sousa’s fiancée Violet was portrayed by “Sarah Bolger”, who also played Princess Aurora on “Once Upon a Time”. Aurora was similarly caught in a love triangle.</li><li>Though the series ended with Sousa and Peggy in a relationship, it is unlikely that Peggy married Sousa. As stated in “The Winter Soldier”, Peggy’s unnamed husband was saved by Captain America in “The First Avenger”.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I enjoyed Season 2 less than the first. Maybe it was because of the extra two episodes? Maybe it was less action? I’m not sure. There was also less of Peggy forcing herself to be assertive as a woman. Other than an episode with her backstory, there was less development with Peggy’s character. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts on Agent Carter? Probably would have been good to have the series wrapped up a little nicer, but at least each season was a self-contained story. As a result, other than Peggy’s husband, I don’t see any loose ends to be concerned about. Overall, good mini-series.<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-92061118489192566872018-02-23T11:34:00.001-08:002018-02-23T11:34:09.405-08:00Krypton and other Stupid IdeasYet another TV show is coming out based in the DC Universe but is only tangentially connected to anything worth making a show out of. I'm of course talking about Krypton, SyFy's new enterprise based on JorEl, the adventures of Superman's biological dad.&nbsp;<div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DEof8TNzkOg/WpBsey_c6yI/AAAAAAAAMEk/lKkE1KE-j5EzQY2UrDoQF4km7r99lrgvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Krypton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DEof8TNzkOg/WpBsey_c6yI/AAAAAAAAMEk/lKkE1KE-j5EzQY2UrDoQF4km7r99lrgvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Krypton.jpg" /></a></div><div>Ugh.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Who is JorEl?</b></div><div>Normally we don't get much from JorEl except that he was a scientist who threw his baby in a rocket and launched it at Earth right before his own planet exploded. Occasionally we've got stuff like the crystal tech that allows him to talk to Superman and give him random advice and honestly that's all we really needed. JorEl's part in the story was done. On Krypton he was a scientist (presumably a geologist since he figured out Krypton would explode but he also built a rocket so whatever) and while a couple comics here and there have mentioned him we don't need much more.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Not the First Time</b></div><div>This is an overall problem I'm seeing with DC and Marvel universes. They keep making TV shows about either the long drawn out origin story of super heroes, IE Smallville and Gotham, or the company's D List, IE Supergirl, Arrow, The Defenders and the Legends of Tomorrow. We'll let Marvel slide on this one because they seem to be legitimately trying to make a massive world with varying degrees of success but every one of DC's shows take place in different universes.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Thought on CW</b></div><div>The CW shows have a similar problem in that they focus on the part of the super heroes lives that we don't care about. Arrow and Flash's bigger plots are the always tired "Will they/Won't they?" TV storytelling trope. Between every awesome battle we have to stop the flow and talk about weather or not Oliver will tell whoever that he loves her or if Supergirl can date whoever-nobody-cares-man.&nbsp;<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xv82C2FuNo/WpBsmkaMiUI/AAAAAAAAMEo/04Fa8OYIN9kfwNCE7ou9sTJyx4-nQUHcACLcBGAs/s1600/Arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xv82C2FuNo/WpBsmkaMiUI/AAAAAAAAMEo/04Fa8OYIN9kfwNCE7ou9sTJyx4-nQUHcACLcBGAs/s1600/Arrow.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What If...</b></div><div>I don't want to see Superman's dad, or Bruce Wayne's training, I want to see Superman and Batman. If DC took all the money they keep pouring into these idiotic backstories and romantic comedies into one show about the Justice League, how they got together and them doing a monster/villain of the week thing, I guarantee it'd be more popular than Superman: Before The Cape could ever be. They could get smaller unknown actors to play the major parts, introduce other heroes later if they need to rotate the team as happens in comics, and maybe even make spin-offs as they need to.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Tell me you wouldn't watch this show.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>-JOE</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-56260267567097321242018-02-21T11:17:00.000-08:002018-02-27T09:25:57.143-08:00Year of the Dog: The Goodest Boys<div class="MsoNormal">So I’m not much of one for Chinese New Year (I frankly can’t tell you the significance of the Chinese Zodiac) but in honor of the year of the dog, I wanted to share some of the goodest boys on TV and movie.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPSJHDqhzg4/Wo3Dg9RZkXI/AAAAAAAAIMc/4Aqgl2ae5YoyMvp9vit4IuGATkiSSq0qACLcBGAs/s1600/k9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="797" height="227" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPSJHDqhzg4/Wo3Dg9RZkXI/AAAAAAAAIMc/4Aqgl2ae5YoyMvp9vit4IuGATkiSSq0qACLcBGAs/s320/k9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>K-9 (Doctor Who)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Fourth Doctor picked up the original K-9 in “The Invisible Enemy” and he was left on Gallifrey with Leela. The Doctor already had K-9 Mark II at the beginning of “The Ribos Operation” when Romana arrived and he stayed with Romana in E-Space. K-9 Mark III was sent to Sarah Jane Smith for Christmas 1978 in “A Girl’s Best Friend” and returned with her in “School Reunion”. After Mark III was destroyed, the Tenth Doctor left Mark IV with Sarah Jane, which continued to be her companion in her spin-off series.<o:p></o:p><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Super sassy and super intelligent. Always loyal to the Doctor and his companions, K-9 is definitely a good dog. I especially loved his banter with the super-computer “Mr. Smith” during the Sarah Jane Adventures. 11/10 loyal good boy.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkDTPJc6e2I/Wo3DrZsj9oI/AAAAAAAAIMg/RHqkUHslF3sl32-Mdh88vyMtvSS9M6vEwCLcBGAs/s1600/dug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="629" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkDTPJc6e2I/Wo3DrZsj9oI/AAAAAAAAIMg/RHqkUHslF3sl32-Mdh88vyMtvSS9M6vEwCLcBGAs/s320/dug.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Dug (Up)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The goodest of all the dogs. So innocent. So loyal. He’s everything I aspire to have in a dog. He started as Muntz’s lackey, but was so innocent and just wanted to capture Kevin so that he would be loved. So when he was taken in by Carl and Russell, is it any surprise that Dug jumped ship and chose a new master?<o:p></o:p><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But yes. 12/10 good dog. He’s just met you and he loves you. What better reason is there? He’ll also hide under your porch because he wants to stay. He’s a good listener and he loves to fetch. Just don’t put him in the cone of shame. It makes him sad.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97tQrDt69sc/Wo3EGkUPkyI/AAAAAAAAIMo/6_w9n6tG2P8gK8TRhiXZJlZCtn0Ea19uwCLcBGAs/s1600/growlie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97tQrDt69sc/Wo3EGkUPkyI/AAAAAAAAIMo/6_w9n6tG2P8gK8TRhiXZJlZCtn0Ea19uwCLcBGAs/s320/growlie.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Growlie (Pokémon)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Team Rocket’s James had a pet Growlithe growing up. When returning to his family’s estate in the Indigo League (Season 1) he reunited. When James’s parents tried to manipulate him into marrying the creepy Jessiebelle, Growlie came to James’s rescue and helped James evade and defeat the wretched Jessiebelle. The real question is why didn’t James take Growlie with him after that?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />First of all, Growlithes are adorable anyway. I can’t get enough of them on Pokémon Go. Second, it’s hard to not love a pooch who is so loyal and loving after all those years. 10/10 loyal Poké-pooch.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lez4KF0mafU/Wo3ESnPQAjI/AAAAAAAAIMw/Rs4Zf87EBHYLP_5sQQF8Cy6KCMKoBVNCgCLcBGAs/s1600/snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="700" height="224" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lez4KF0mafU/Wo3ESnPQAjI/AAAAAAAAIMw/Rs4Zf87EBHYLP_5sQQF8Cy6KCMKoBVNCgCLcBGAs/s320/snoopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Snoopy (Peanuts)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">What a smart intelligent dog! A bit weird too. Who sleeps on the point of a dog house? All the same, he writes, he knows history, and he knows how to have fun. And with how unlucky Charlie Brown is, he’s very protective too, even if it’s in the oddest ways. Like in the Peanuts movie, what dog jumps out on the dance floor to pump up their owner? 10/10 imaginative pup. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVCI5SmL2As/Wo3FO9cOCTI/AAAAAAAAINA/zd6R8yRsPBQGKV2MrNcy6NXg6x0kBE6UACLcBGAs/s1600/pluto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="652" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wVCI5SmL2As/Wo3FO9cOCTI/AAAAAAAAINA/zd6R8yRsPBQGKV2MrNcy6NXg6x0kBE6UACLcBGAs/s320/pluto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Pluto (Disney)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who can forget Pluto, Mickey’s doggo? Now let’s not get into the Goofy/Pluto dog debate. Let’s just talk about how wonderful Pluto is. No matter what short or series we’re talking about, Pluto is so loyal to Mickey and he does everything he can to love Mickey and keep him safe (even if it’s just from chipmunks). 13/10 Disney top dog.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYk2mkgP6PQ/Wo3FZnZpJOI/AAAAAAAAINE/6xk1g2rPy-kLG862E8ajpOVMVUPGrlTFgCLcBGAs/s1600/stitch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1000" height="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYk2mkgP6PQ/Wo3FZnZpJOI/AAAAAAAAINE/6xk1g2rPy-kLG862E8ajpOVMVUPGrlTFgCLcBGAs/s320/stitch.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Stitch (Lilo &amp; Stitch)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Not a dog per se, but he’s an honorable pupper in my book. Although he got off to a rocky start, he helped bring LIlo’s family together and change their lives for the good. In the sequels and the TV series, he was super helpful in rounding up his 600+ cousins and teaching them to be good. That’s not to say that Stitch is good. He’s got a mischievous streak the size of his badness level.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />He’s protective and faithful to Lilo. He got aggressive when Cobra, Gantu, and others each tried to take Lilo away from her family. So mischievous he may be, but he’s a good doggo in the end. 15/10 mischievous pupper; he’ll steal your left shoe, but he’ll also love you to death. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Who’s your favorite TV/movie pupper?&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-84826274666426699302018-02-15T22:40:00.003-08:002018-02-15T22:40:53.600-08:00Black Panther -- A Breath of Fresh AirI was a little bit late getting my tickets to Black Panther, but was lucky enough to still find a decent seat at the AMC just down the road and saw Black Panther opening night in Dolby Cinema.<div><br /><div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26PpyEuL3sw/WoZzWewK_8I/AAAAAAAATxQ/tQd-umUYXh4dnan-Evs4H0KKacvVJsTOgCLcBGAs/s1600/bp-730x456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="730" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26PpyEuL3sw/WoZzWewK_8I/AAAAAAAATxQ/tQd-umUYXh4dnan-Evs4H0KKacvVJsTOgCLcBGAs/s400/bp-730x456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>Black Panther was a different kind of Marvel movie, and one that I will most likely see again in the coming weeks. **Some Spoilers May Follow**</div><div><br /></div><br />&nbsp;The movie follows King T'Challa after the events of Captain America: Civil War, as he returns to Wakanda and is crowned as King. From an old family foe to an unexpected challenge to T'Challa's reign as sovereign and King, the movie is a breath of fresh air in an increasingly crowded Marvel Cinematic Universe and sets itself apart as an entertaining movie, a moving story, and a much needed commentary on modern social issues.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7G6IgFzNw8/WoZzZtln51I/AAAAAAAATxc/1itYljzjwaUzJ7oIWcJSS4MSCDzJtyuNwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Black-Panther-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7G6IgFzNw8/WoZzZtln51I/AAAAAAAATxc/1itYljzjwaUzJ7oIWcJSS4MSCDzJtyuNwCEwYBhgL/s400/Black-Panther-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><i>The Good</i></b><br /><br /><ul><li>Tackling Modern Issues: This is one of the few Marvel Movies that brought up uncomfortable, but necessary, parts of our history and our past e.g. slavery, colonization and imperialism, racial inequality, and so forth. I appreciated the tasteful way that these subjects were woven into the storyline -- but it is the first time I recall modern issues being tackled in a Marvel movie. About time!</li><li>A Black Superhero: The MCU is white. Pasty white. Too white. Chadwick Boseman's stellar performance in Civil War and in his own title movie sets him apart in my mind as a new favorite.</li><li>Music: I could write pages and pages about the music, but needless to say one of theist memorable parts of the film for me. Beautiful, at times haunting, and inspiring soundtrack!</li><li>Costume and Set Design: Outside of the bad-a** costume of the Black Panther himself, the Wakandan wardrobe and the movie's set design is simply stunning and breathtaking.</li><li>Spirituality: I found this to be a much more spiritual film than I was initially expecting, or used to, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (which is saying something considering Thor is a Norse God....) Again, much needed spiritual addition to the MCU after the almost-straight-up comedies that Marvel has recently released.</li><li>Character Complexity: Instead of a traditional "good guy fights bad guy" scenario, I appreciated the character complexity and development in&nbsp;<i>Black Panther</i>. Not all beloved father figures are perfect. Real moral dilemmas exist, such as nationalism vs. individual and familial loyalty, and noninterventionist pacifism vs. racial equality and justice. In addition to being entertained, I was moved and inspired.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><b><i>What Lacked in Comparison</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>Honestly it's hard to complain about anything in <i>Black Panther</i>, but here are a few thoughts I had.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BA8knpO77g/WoZ5QV7f-wI/AAAAAAAATxo/M5IU_-IV0FYKoOpqcu4YgNghTlM_JVI0gCLcBGAs/s1600/black_panther_textless_poster_by_mrwonderworks-dbsf454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="620" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BA8knpO77g/WoZ5QV7f-wI/AAAAAAAATxo/M5IU_-IV0FYKoOpqcu4YgNghTlM_JVI0gCLcBGAs/s320/black_panther_textless_poster_by_mrwonderworks-dbsf454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><ul><li>Integration of MCU characters: At this point, well into stage three of the MCU, I was expecting more integration of Marvel Characters at some point in the story other than the credits. While not an absolute, for me it would be a "nice to have" element to the story. To be honest, <i>Black Panther</i> didn't need it....but who doesn't love a cameo here and there!</li><li>Humor: I LOL'ed my way through <i>Thor: Ragnarok</i>, and <i>Avengers</i>, and while <i>Black Panther</i>&nbsp;had great humor, it was not as straight up funny as some of the other films Marvel has produced. Again, I think in this case it was not needed. <i>Black Panther</i>&nbsp;is a different Marvel movie, at this point in time one of its kind.&nbsp;I was fine with the different kind of Marvel film...but for those who are used to the puns, one-liners, and antics of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth, this film has a different flavor and humor to it.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Overall, a solid 8.5 out of 10 or dare I say even a 9, depending on what you are looking for in Marvel Cinema. I'm stoked to have Black Panther return in <i>Avengers: Infinity War</i>.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What did you think of <i>Black Panther</i>? What did you like or dislike about the film? What are your expectations for <i>Infinity War?</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAlN8VyBlhU/WoZ7nC6XKjI/AAAAAAAATx0/xctmznv0nxs8EnWXkSKtJ13OtNZEo5zLgCLcBGAs/s1600/BlackPanther-TA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="582" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAlN8VyBlhU/WoZ7nC6XKjI/AAAAAAAATx0/xctmznv0nxs8EnWXkSKtJ13OtNZEo5zLgCLcBGAs/s400/BlackPanther-TA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-43628858844146845502018-02-14T09:36:00.000-08:002018-02-14T09:36:04.145-08:00Power TV Couples<div class="MsoNormal">Happy Valentine’s Day! This is a new one for me, since it’s the first time in my life that I’ve been in a relationship for Valentine’s Day. Every year so far it’s been about friendship (which it still is), but in honor of romantic love this year here are a few of my favorite TV couples.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Barry Allen and Iris West (The Flash)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So while they may have grown up as foster brother and sister, Barry was in love with Iris from an early age. After the particle accelerator explosion, Barry lost some time and in the meantime Iris started dating her father’s partner. But Barry is the eternal optimist and romantic and three years later they ended up married. In the end, Barry is the epitome of a geeky boy who got his dream girl.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maybe it’s because I was dating my now-wife when I binged The Flash, seeing the development of Barry and Iris’s relationship, but in many ways (not all) my relationship with my wife seems to parallel Barry and Iris’s. Can’t look at Iris without thinking about her. Barry and Iris have been through more than their share of trials together, Savitar’s threat being the least of it. If Barry and Iris can survive Savitar’s attempted murder of Iris, couples in real life can handle anything.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfX2PUtpkV0/WoRyayRupLI/AAAAAAAAILY/-RJwvjczhBUQqtUD4CHLp1BAHI_BfkV3ACLcBGAs/s1600/barry%2Band%2Biris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfX2PUtpkV0/WoRyayRupLI/AAAAAAAAILY/-RJwvjczhBUQqtUD4CHLp1BAHI_BfkV3ACLcBGAs/s320/barry%2Band%2Biris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Chandler Bing and Monica Geller (Friends)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I don’t know if the writers of Friends originally intended Chandler and Monica to end up together, but I love them as a couple for that reason. Even before their relationship was planned, they had a playful, friendly relationship. As early as “The One with the Birth” they joke about getting together, which intermittently continues through relationships with Janice, Richard, etc. until they got together at Ross’s wedding. So when they got together it was the perfect relationship. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My wife and I relate to Monica and Chandler in my ways, jokingly and seriously. I don’t consider that bad. They became best friends and they worked through their issues (body image, commitment issues, etc.) and eventually became one of the best power couples I’ve seen on TV. Minus the pre-marital sex, I’d probably recommend every couple look up to them.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNxitlrOnDM/WoRyylZT30I/AAAAAAAAILc/iIDX6OQId2IEzPpVRosF2PmnpPU7u0V8QCLcBGAs/s1600/monica%2Band%2Bchandler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="634" height="242" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNxitlrOnDM/WoRyylZT30I/AAAAAAAAILc/iIDX6OQId2IEzPpVRosF2PmnpPU7u0V8QCLcBGAs/s320/monica%2Band%2Bchandler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Cory Matthew and Topanga Lawrence (Boy Meets World)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What better couple is there on TV? Goofy, sort-of friends in the first season and then developing into a couple in later seasons. Very rarely on TV or in real life do high school sweethearts lead to real marriages, but they did. They worked through fights, break-ups, and other issues together. In Girl Meets World, they dealt with some intense parenting issues together too. If we’re talking TV power couples, I’m putting Cory and Topanga up there with Monica and Chandler.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPvcePe9GVY/WoRy9tu_yAI/AAAAAAAAILk/RI-FG1qfOfQeDOKUscR29zMCKaOCDjsQACLcBGAs/s1600/cory%2Band%2Btopanga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPvcePe9GVY/WoRy9tu_yAI/AAAAAAAAILk/RI-FG1qfOfQeDOKUscR29zMCKaOCDjsQACLcBGAs/s320/cory%2Band%2Btopanga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Rory Williams and Amy Pond (Doctor Who)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Some people (TJ in particular) might be surprised that I’m putting Rory and Amy on my list. It’s no secret that I have issues with Amy. Granted, she was obsessed with the Doctor from a young age, but trying to make out with the Doctor the night before her wedding still rubs me the wrong way. Still, her relationship with Rory is still one to be envied.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Despite her obsession with the Eleventh Doctor, Amy was so committed to Rory. Even after he was erased from existence and she forgot about him, Amy still felt strongly for Rory. After Rory was “reincarnated”, she ultimately committed to her husband. When the choice was between the Doctor and Rory, she always chose Rory, even when it meant never seeing the Doctor again. Sacrifice is part of love and marriage and, despite my initial distaste of Amy, she knew that.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUbDX_vJmxY/WoRzLtpvfZI/AAAAAAAAILo/vtq3WCHFUzYjoZOvCXfgrfp-dpb7d87bwCLcBGAs/s1600/amy%2Band%2Brory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUbDX_vJmxY/WoRzLtpvfZI/AAAAAAAAILo/vtq3WCHFUzYjoZOvCXfgrfp-dpb7d87bwCLcBGAs/s320/amy%2Band%2Brory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>James “Sawyer” Ford and Juliet Burke (Lost)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Despite being together about 3 years, we never really got to see much of Sawyer’s relationship with Juliet. I can only assume that it developed naturally and powerfully. They started as enemies when she arrived at the survivors’ camp in Season 3, but during the time jumps of Season 5, they bonded and had to stick together. Eventually getting stuck in the 70s, Sawyer leaned on Juliet for support.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">That support grew into a stellar relationship. So when Juliet died, it was understandable that Sawyer was destroyed. I can’t begin to describe how I felt when they reunited in the afterlife. Sawyer loved Juliet through her insecurities and into her death. Sawyer had many faults, but Juliet made him a better man, who he was always meant to be.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8-j02NVptg/WoRzVAjMKbI/AAAAAAAAILs/IQTpM6rh-yUsnnHFllMWzx4RlCyyRyzJACLcBGAs/s1600/sawyer%2Band%2Bjuliet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8-j02NVptg/WoRzVAjMKbI/AAAAAAAAILs/IQTpM6rh-yUsnnHFllMWzx4RlCyyRyzJACLcBGAs/s320/sawyer%2Band%2Bjuliet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who are some of your favorite TV couples? Anything you’d add to the ones I’ve described? Whether it’s with your significant other or with friends, enjoy Valentine’s Day. Above all other kinds of love, our Father in Heaven loves you and our Savior loves you enough to have died for you. Even if you’re single and/or struggling, there’s always someone who loves you.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Valentine’s Day!<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-24224204257143746332018-01-24T13:20:00.000-08:002018-01-24T13:21:31.066-08:00Phoebe Buffay<div class="MsoNormal">I’ve been re-watching “Friends” lately and it’s cementing itself again as one of my favorite sitcoms. The highlight of nearly every episode (almost inevitably distracting me from whatever my wife and I are talking about) is Phoebe. She’s such a random and lovable character. It’s kind of impossible to not like her if you have any humanity. So in case you need reasons to love Phoebe, here are four of my favorites:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qdd_sW2JiA/WmVsyAxeoTI/AAAAAAAAIKY/nmwJLOyJmF0kP8UZDdxkjOWQR69Smev6QCLcBGAs/s1600/snowman.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="500" height="128" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qdd_sW2JiA/WmVsyAxeoTI/AAAAAAAAIKY/nmwJLOyJmF0kP8UZDdxkjOWQR69Smev6QCLcBGAs/s320/snowman.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Phoebe has this wonderful undying optimism. Her life has sucked and yet she’s almost always happy. Her dad walked out on her family, her mom committed suicide, her step-dad went to prison, and the list goes on. I know she’s there for comic relief at times, but most characters with her past would be a dark humor instead of the ray of sunshine that we get for ten seasons. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi3NczxgaZk/WmVs3Su2zeI/AAAAAAAAIKc/jkyyvMdb4LMIdNtoxWvn7wE55LRMgrJtgCLcBGAs/s1600/soulmate.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi3NczxgaZk/WmVs3Su2zeI/AAAAAAAAIKc/jkyyvMdb4LMIdNtoxWvn7wE55LRMgrJtgCLcBGAs/s320/soulmate.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m also not sure that there is a character on that has so many amazing one-liners. Maybe Fat Amy on “Pitch Perfect”, but throw in Phoebe’s silly songs and she easily trumps Fat Amy. Her naivety, yet having so much harsh life experience, makes her off-handed comments so much more enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evPNtwGFHLE/WmVs65ZZJzI/AAAAAAAAIKg/BQEZsst6vewB0yJ1-wkL-2-3obGzStTvQCLcBGAs/s1600/madness.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="500" height="176" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evPNtwGFHLE/WmVs65ZZJzI/AAAAAAAAIKg/BQEZsst6vewB0yJ1-wkL-2-3obGzStTvQCLcBGAs/s320/madness.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Fun little theory of mine, just to be silly, is that Phoebe also had some mad ninja assassin skills. Don’t ever get on her bad side. Remember <a href="http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/The_One_With_The_Baby_On_The_Bus">that episode</a>where she got replaced as the musician at Central Perk? Did we ever see Terry the Jerk again? I mean, he was mentioned again a year later, but we never saw him again. Did we ever again see Stephanie who knew all the chords? Nope. Never. Only explanation is that sweet little Phoebe offed both. Plain and simple. She used her street skills to assert herself.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6IfRw2915w/WmVs-EgohiI/AAAAAAAAIKk/okiCY-sOrzMTtbXJfCDm0sHV8cq4qE0kQCLcBGAs/s1600/phalange.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6IfRw2915w/WmVs-EgohiI/AAAAAAAAIKk/okiCY-sOrzMTtbXJfCDm0sHV8cq4qE0kQCLcBGAs/s320/phalange.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Final reason to love Phoebe: Smelly Cat. Not even exaggerating, sometimes when I’m stressed I can just calm myself by singing Smelly Cat to myself. Remember that episode where she got to do the Smelly Cat video? Also that time that it got turned into a jingle? And then there were all the people she tried to teach it to, like Stephanie (before she offed her). <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">What are you favorite things about Phoebe? Any favorite one-liners or songs?&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-84234193307894808382018-01-15T09:29:00.000-08:002018-02-14T08:30:00.126-08:00Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 9<div class="MsoNormal">Runaways Season 1 is over, SHIELD is on its way into Season 5, and Black Panther is only a month away. Sounds like a perfect time to do some more Marvel (not that I need a reason). So this time it’s the first part of Agents of SHIELD Season 3 and our introduction to the sassy Jessica Jones.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N85auJxIPmk/Wlwy8KMBDOI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/yq1c-4ARfs8-lFXhpqlBy3QUl5ooi4PoACLcBGAs/s1600/laws%2Bof%2Bnature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N85auJxIPmk/Wlwy8KMBDOI/AAAAAAAAIJ8/yq1c-4ARfs8-lFXhpqlBy3QUl5ooi4PoACLcBGAs/s320/laws%2Bof%2Bnature.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SHIELD vs the ATCU</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Agents of SHIELD: Season 3 (Episodes 1-8)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><b>Laws of Nature: </b>The Terrigen-infested fish oil pills have made their rounds, resulting in random Inhumans throughout the world. SHIELD collects Joey Gutierrez. Coulson confronts the ATCU’s leader, Rosalind Price. Daisy/Skye try to recruit Lincoln to help SHIELD. Lincoln and Daisy get attacked by a monster, Lash. Fitz tracks down details on the monolith. Simmons hides on a desert planet.</li><li><b>Purpose in the Machine: </b>In 1839, a man gets sent into the monolith. In the present, Fitz is removed from the monolith’s room by his friends. Deducing Simmons was transported through space, SHIELD recruits Randolph for help. Garner evaluates Joey. SHIELD opens the monolith’s portal and Fitz retrieves Simmons. Hunter recruits May to get revenge on Ward. Werner von Strucker joins Garner’s class, at Ward’s request.</li><li><b>A Wanted (Inhu)man: </b>Hunter and May track Ward. Simmons struggles adjusting back to Earth. Lincoln evades SHIELD and the ATCU. Coulson reaches out to Rosalind. Hunter works his way into Hydra. Simmons tells Bobbi that she needs to go back.</li><li><b>Devils You Know: </b>Lash kills various Inhumans. Daisy learns he has a human form. Garner evaluates Simmons. Hunter is taken to Ward. Ward threatens Garner’s life if he isn’t released. Von Strucker stalks Garner and the building they are in explodes.</li><li><b>4,722 Hours:</b>Simmons recalls the events on Maveth to Fitz. Six months previous, Simmons finds herself stranded on Maveth. After a month, Simmons is captured by Will. Avoiding a monster, Simmons and Will comfort each other. During a rare sunrise, Simmons sees Fitz’s flare, Will gets attacked, and Simmons gets rescued. In the present day, Fitz begins working on getting to Maveth.</li><li><b>Among Us Hide…: </b>Garner survives assassination. Hydra and SHIELD chase after von Strucker. SHIELD pursues Banks, suspsecting he’s Lash. Rosalind takes Coulson to the ATCU and finds she has dozen of Inhumans. Von Strucker tells May that Garner turned into a monster. Lincoln calls Daisy.</li><li><b>Chaos Theory: </b>Mack meets with Lincoln. May discovers that Garner is Lash. Coulson shows Rosalind around Zephyr One. Simmons talk to Fitz about Maveth. May confronts and captures Garner. Lincoln fights Garner/Lash. Rosalind calls Malick.</li><li><b>Many Heads, One Tale: </b>Ward teams up with Malick. Coulson shows Rosalind SHIELD headquarters while the team checks out the ATCU. Fitz and Simmons discover that Hydra sent Will to Maveth. Hunter and Bobbi discover ATCU has been creating Inhumans with the fish oil. Malick tells Ward about Hive.</li></ol><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmLNDMpmAUE/WlwzDdD4QHI/AAAAAAAAIKA/FKO4BuP0BYwnehwmOH2dfCD2VhDW68J7ACLcBGAs/s1600/lash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmLNDMpmAUE/WlwzDdD4QHI/AAAAAAAAIKA/FKO4BuP0BYwnehwmOH2dfCD2VhDW68J7ACLcBGAs/s320/lash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Inhuman attacking Inhumans</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>The events in New York (“<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Avengers%3A%20Age%20of%20Ultron">The Avengers</a>”), London (“<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Thor%3A%20The%20Dark%20World">The Dark World</a>”), DC (“<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Captain%20America%3A%20The%20Winter%20Soldier">The Winter Soldier</a>”), Sokovia (“<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Avengers%3A%20Age%20of%20Ultron">Age of Ultron</a>”), and San Francisco (“<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Ant-Man%20%28movie%29">Ant-Man</a>”) are mentioned in “Laws of Nature”.</li><li>The death of Wolfgang von Strucker, in “Age of Ultron”, is referenced in “Purpose in the Machine”.</li><li>Malick was previously on the World Security Council in “The Avengers”.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">So after the release of the Terrigen at the end of Season 2, this was the logical direction to go. However, one thing I didn’t like about where SHIELD went from this point on is that every person with powers is now Inhuman. Before this, we had synthetic powers (Mike Peterson/Deathlok), natural powers (Chan Ho Yin/Scorch), and powers of unknown origin (Carl Creel/Absorbing Man). After the Inhuman outbreak, it’s assumed that anyone with powers is Inhuman. It kind of got dull for me in a way. Besides that, I liked it. I enjoyed the backstory to Hydra, dating further back than Red Skull.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2ipeUuDtLM/WlwzKzOubwI/AAAAAAAAIKE/eDhIs0xYJGU6Ntt80A55BUxyiqyaUPxbQCLcBGAs/s1600/Jessica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2ipeUuDtLM/WlwzKzOubwI/AAAAAAAAIKE/eDhIs0xYJGU6Ntt80A55BUxyiqyaUPxbQCLcBGAs/s320/Jessica.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private Eye: Jessica Jones</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Jessica Jones: Season 1 (Episodes 1-13)</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Like I did with “Daredevil”, I’m going to provide a parent guide for “Jessica Jones”. Unlike “Daredevil” Season 1, there are three sex scenes in “Jessica Jones”. If you see anything you think needs to be in the parent guide, let me know so I can add it. Assume profanity for all episodes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol><li><b>AKA Ladies Night:</b>Jessica Jones works as a private eye, a year after Kilgrave’s supposed death. Jessica gets hired to find Hope. Jessica meets Luke Cage and spends the night with him. In her search for Hope, Jessica suspects Kilgrave is alive. Jessica finds Hope and returns her to her parents. Hope kills her parents at Kilgrave’s order. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>: Sex scene between Luke and Jessica; immodestly dressed women; allusions to rape; blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA Crush Syndrome:</b>Jessica gets interrogated. Jessica asks Hogarth to take Hope’s case. Trish confronts Jessica. Jessica researches Kilgrave’s missing year. Luke gets attacked but can’t be harmed. Hogarth takes Hope’s case. Luke and Jessica reveal their powers to each other. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>: blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA It’s Called Whiskey:</b> Jessica remembers killing Reva. Jessica steals anesthesia to use on Kilgrave. Trish interviews Hope. Jessica saves Trish from being killed by Simpson (who is being controlled). Distracted by saving Simpson, Jessica loses Kilgrave’s trail. Jessica breaks up with Luke. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>: Sex scene between Luke and Jessica; immodestly dressed women; blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA 99 Friends:</b> Jessica takes a new case and intervenes when Simpson tries to talk to Trish. Simpson and Jessica team up. Jessica interviews possible Kilgrave victims. A woman attacks Jessica, because she’s gifted. Simpson and Trish bond. Jessica learns that Malcolm has been Kilgrave’s photographer.</li><li><b>AKA The Sandwich Saved Me:</b> Eighteen months ago, Trish tries to get Jessica to be a superhero. She declines, but later saves a child. Jessica saves Malcom and gets discovered by Kilgrave. In the present day, Jessica, Trish, and Simpson put a plan together to capture Kilgrave. While enacting the plan, they get chased and Kilgrave is freed. Jessica makes a deal for Malcolm’s freedom. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>: Sexual innuendo in flashback; sex scene between Trish and Simpson; blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA You’re a Winner!</b>: Kilgrave procures Jessica’s childhood home. Luke asks for Jessica’s help to find someone. Jessica helps Hope abort Kilgrave’s unborn child. Luke and Jessica get back together. Luke and Jessica fight off attackers. Luke seeks the bus driver who accidentally killed his wife. Jessica tells Luke the truth about his wife’s death. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>: bedroom scene of Luke and Jessica; Hope mentions having an abortion; drug trafficking)</li><li><b>AKA Top Shelf Perverts</b>: Jessica threatens Hogarth’s wife into divorcing her. After finding a body in her apartment, Jessica plans to get sent to prison to lure Kilgrave in. Kilgrave uses his powers to avoid having Jessica put in prison. Kilgrave takes Jessica to her childhood home.</li><li><b>AKA WWJD</b>?: Kilgrave manipulates Jessica into cooperating. Simpson meets up with Trish. Kilgrave gives Jessica information on his past. Hogarth works on her divorce. Jessica tries to teach Kilgrave to be a hero. Jessica knocks Kilgrave out and escapes.</li><li><b>AKA Sin Bin</b>: Trish takes injured Simpson to the hospital. With Kilgrave captive, Jessica tries to get proof of his powers. Jessica finds Kilgrave’s parents and gets them to confront him. He forces his mother to kill herself. Kilgrave escapes. Jessica learns she is immune. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>:&nbsp;blood and gore; sexual innuendo; references to rape)</li><li><b>AKA 1,000 Cuts</b>: Kilgrave forces Hogarth to take him to her wife for medical treatment. Kilgrave’s father works on an antidote. Hogarth’s lover saves her from being killed by her wife. Kilgrave confronts Jessica. Simpson attacks Kilgrave’s father. Jessica’s neighbor inadvertently releases Kilgrave. Kilgrave blackmails Jessica into getting his father. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>:&nbsp;blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA I’ve Got the Blues</b>: Years ago, Jessica moves in with Trish and discovers her strength. Jessica searches morgues for Kilgrave’s father. Simpson attacks Jessica and she’s saved by Trish. Kilgrave blows up Luke’s bar. (<b>Parental Guidance</b>:&nbsp;blood and gore)</li><li><b>AKA Take a Bloody Number</b>: Two days ago, Kilgrave sets Luke up to blow up his bar. Recuperating, Luke and Jessica discover Kilgrave’s plan to increase his powers. Trish tells off her mother. After increasing his powers, Kilgrave orders Luke to kill Jessica.</li><li><b>AKA Smile</b>: Jessica gets Luke to the hospital, where he’s treated by Claire Temple. Kilgrave leads Jessica to the harbor. When Kilgrave can’t control Jessica, he tries to kill her. Attempting to control her again, Kilgrave lets his guard down and Jessica kills him. With Kilgrave dead, Jessica supposes she could perhaps be a hero.</li></ol><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKqnxhiLhpo/WlwzSWzJWwI/AAAAAAAAIKI/dqVuoR_XamAh5LT1F7Z7ji0jw7zrCEY-ACLcBGAs/s1600/Kilgrave.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKqnxhiLhpo/WlwzSWzJWwI/AAAAAAAAIKI/dqVuoR_XamAh5LT1F7Z7ji0jw7zrCEY-ACLcBGAs/s320/Kilgrave.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica succeeds in killing Kilgrave. Or did she? Find out in March.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>During her interview with Hope in “AKA It’s Called Whiskey”, Trish references <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/06/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-3.html">the Battle of New York</a> and the Avengers.</li><li>Jessica and her attacker further reference the events of “The Avengers” in “AKA 99 Friends”. <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/The%20Incredible%20Hulk">The Hulk</a>and <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Captain%20America%3A%20The%20Winter%20Soldier">Captain America</a> are both alluded to specifically.</li><li>A child in a Captain America costume is seen in “AKA The Sandwich Saved Me”.</li><li>Brett Mahoney, who Jessica meets in “AKA Top Shelf Perverts”, appears on a recurring basis in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2017/11/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-7.html">Daredevil</a>”.</li><li>Claire Temple, originally appearing in “Daredevil”, appears in “AKA Smile”.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">This has by far been my favorite Netflix series that Marvel has done. Perhaps it’s because of Jessica Jones’s sass and humor. Perhaps it’s a little celebrity crush. Regardless, I really liked this series. Also, it was really hard for me to watch this show with David Tennant as the villain. He’s been my favorite Doctor for five years now, so to see him as a villain (and an incredibly well done villain at that) was wonderful and horrible. Granted I've never dealt with PTSD, but in my opinion this show does a wonderful job addressing it, especially in the aftermath of rape.<br /><br />The one thing I’d change from this show is the sex scenes. Bedroom scenes don’t add to the show for me. If we had a make-out with a bedroom door closing behind, we’d have the same result in my mind. Overall great series though. Can’t wait for season 2 this year.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">What did you think of the Inhuman outbreak? Any thoughts on Jessica Jones? What do you hope to see in Season 2?<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-91777516943188213812018-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:002018-01-08T08:51:13.650-08:00The Eighth Doctor<div class="MsoNormal">Another Doctor down. He only had one TV movie and a mini-episode. So as a result, I don’t have much for top or flop stories. So I’ll just review both stories. HOWEVER, the Eighth Doctor does have some spin-off media that held Doctor Who through the dark ages of 1996-2005. Anyways, here we go.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eeUreUP7vg/WhzKWRAhkiI/AAAAAAAAIEU/tWMrkqTY-UwP3x4Vspm88Ae2NE2GoxIdgCLcBGAs/s1600/Eighth%2BDoctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5eeUreUP7vg/WhzKWRAhkiI/AAAAAAAAIEU/tWMrkqTY-UwP3x4Vspm88Ae2NE2GoxIdgCLcBGAs/s1600/Eighth%2BDoctor.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKrBMJISzxk/WhzJxFwUS8I/AAAAAAAAIEE/2mUy8uhoJCUDqaoxGXKUbnMH4ZzLyKKsgCLcBGAs/s1600/tv%2Bmovie%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="350" height="111" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKrBMJISzxk/WhzJxFwUS8I/AAAAAAAAIEE/2mUy8uhoJCUDqaoxGXKUbnMH4ZzLyKKsgCLcBGAs/s200/tv%2Bmovie%2B1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh after regenerating</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>TV Movie: Doctor Who<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So the first quarter/third of the movie was actually the Seventh Doctor. He gets shot while landing in San Francisco and regenerates into the Eighth Doctor. We had some unique moments with this Doctor. I found his youthful attitude to be a precursor to David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor. He was also the first Doctor to have a romantic kiss with a companion. The Y2K story was actually pretty compelling, but there are definitely critiques I’d have.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIOX8LP83ks/WhzJ2e7265I/AAAAAAAAIEI/6zqJDLUMP3sybyHtjppLipzZuS15U8uAwCLcBGAs/s1600/tv%2Bmovie%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OIOX8LP83ks/WhzJ2e7265I/AAAAAAAAIEI/6zqJDLUMP3sybyHtjppLipzZuS15U8uAwCLcBGAs/s200/tv%2Bmovie%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eighth Doctor's TARDIS team</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">This movie was meant to reboot the show after it got cancelled in 1989, but it didn’t set it up very well. It didn’t leave room for new Whovians. It assumed you knew about the Doctor beforehand. So in comparison to when the Ninth Doctor arrived, this story didn’t even have a chance. There’s also the whole inconsistency with the Master’s interaction with Chang Lee. In one scene the Master is threatening him into helping and in the next he’s pulling some sort of elder brother move. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So my final thoughts: It’s worth watching, but it’s definitely not a starting point for the series.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI-LRYyKS6Q/WhzKIN0sIjI/AAAAAAAAIEM/4w8iOEW7PXcVa8cGJxhTzq-IVj4QphZFgCLcBGAs/s1600/night%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdoctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1236" height="123" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yI-LRYyKS6Q/WhzKIN0sIjI/AAAAAAAAIEM/4w8iOEW7PXcVa8cGJxhTzq-IVj4QphZFgCLcBGAs/s200/night%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdoctor.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regenerating again</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Mini-Episode: The Night of the Doctor<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s near the beginning of the Time War and the Doctor ends up crashing, trying to help Cass. Then the Sisterhood of Karn forces a regeneration to keep him alive. This story came out shortly before the 50<sup>th</sup>Anniversary Special in 2013. It was the perfect way to help close the gap of the Doctor’s regenerations. I absolutely loved this story when it came out and I could still watch it a lot. One thing that I wish would have come from this story would be more appearances by the Eighth Doctor. Even if it’s just for a team-up episode with the current Doctor. I had hoped that Paul McGann would have worked with the Twelfth Doctor. Since Paul McGann is still young enough to play the character, why not? Maybe I can still hold out for him to team up with the Thirteenth Doctor. I really loved this Doctor and he deserved a better shot.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">COMPANIONS:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Grace&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; TV Movie<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Chang&nbsp;&nbsp; TV Movie<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87FHSi3bDOU/WhzLMWjlJVI/AAAAAAAAIEk/p56_7wx7sZAOu4XB5Dr52fE7DitD4o_BQCEwYBhgL/s1600/grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="259" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87FHSi3bDOU/WhzLMWjlJVI/AAAAAAAAIEk/p56_7wx7sZAOu4XB5Dr52fE7DitD4o_BQCEwYBhgL/s200/grace.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than a match for the Doctor</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Favorite Companion:</b>Both companions only appeared in the TV Movie, but I really enjoyed Grace. My understanding is that she could have appeared more if the Eighth Doctor’s reboot had been picked up. She appeared in some spin-off media. Even just the fact that her intellect rivaled the Doctor, it was great. She didn’t need the Doctor explaining why the TARDIS was bigger on the inside. It kind of reminds me of companions like Zoe and Nyssa, who weren’t just along for the ride, but also were able to match wits with the Doctor (while not being completely obnoxious like Adric). I would have really liked to see more of her.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5lORfq5i0c/WhzLjVGZFnI/AAAAAAAAIEo/1j588DCKUb0VIV7xxcLu8U4CRfvThJB0wCLcBGAs/s1600/chang%2Blee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S5lORfq5i0c/WhzLjVGZFnI/AAAAAAAAIEo/1j588DCKUb0VIV7xxcLu8U4CRfvThJB0wCLcBGAs/s200/chang%2Blee.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Master's companion turned Doctor's companion</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Least Favorite Companion:</b> Chang Lee was actually more like the Master’s companion, but he ended up being on the Doctor’s side in the end, so I’ll count him. Like I said before, Chang’s motivation to help the Master changed between scenes, so it really didn’t help him; one scene he’s being threatened into helping and the next he’s being bribed. The writing of that didn’t sit well with me. But he ended up being a good guy at heart (despite being a gangster) so I guess I liked him in the end. Maybe we could still see him again at some point? Doubtful, but it’d be cool. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What do you think of the Eighth Doctor? Have you read any of his books or listened to any of the audio dramas? Which ones can you recommend? I’d love to get into more of his canon.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slPTvK0EyfE/WhzLtEIpd6I/AAAAAAAAIEw/CMvLq6m8r5s-nWbpgif4BiqKVzEC35M5gCLcBGAs/s1600/regeneration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slPTvK0EyfE/WhzLtEIpd6I/AAAAAAAAIEw/CMvLq6m8r5s-nWbpgif4BiqKVzEC35M5gCLcBGAs/s320/regeneration.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before regenerating in to the War Doctor, he acknowledges several names including Charley and Molly. These were companions who traveled with him in the Big Finish audio dramas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXpIkuw-Xc0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXpIkuw-Xc0</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14dx7s">http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14dx7s</a><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-26294766923427046892018-01-03T22:18:00.000-08:002018-01-03T22:18:10.218-08:00The Passing of a Guardian: A Mormon Geeks Tribute to President MonsonFor two and a half years of my life I lived in the suburbs of Chicago. One of my favorite parts about living out there was the proximity to Nauvoo. I would frequently go out there to enjoy the historical sites and enjoy the spirit of that place.<br /><br />On one of my last trips to Nauvoo in the summer of 2015, I happened to pass by a t-shirt shop fairly close to the temple, and saw the below shirt. Given my love of the First Presidency and Guardians of the Galaxy, I felt that it was a no-brainer to buy it 😀<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks8jLiAUsTo/Wk3D2NDAgOI/AAAAAAAAS9o/NZplicG7Hx4wocw2i71hg57u_6X9AGjbgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks8jLiAUsTo/Wk3D2NDAgOI/AAAAAAAAS9o/NZplicG7Hx4wocw2i71hg57u_6X9AGjbgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0431.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And sadly, one of our beloved Guardians of the Galaxy has passed on.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Within my 29 years of life, I've only clearly remembered the passing of President Hinckley 10 years ago this month. President Hinckley was the prophet of my youth. He called me to my mission in Brazil and signed my mission call. I remember finding out in my first area that he had passed away. I felt like I had lost a close friend and a hero.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is with similar feelings that I woke up to the news of President Monson's passing this morning. When I think of true Christians who exemplify charity towards their fellow men, devotion to the Savior, and service to the Kingdom, Thomas Spencer Monson is at the top of the list.&nbsp;</div><br />Even at his very weakest, he left us with two powerful sermons this past April in General Conference. May we heed his counsel to love one another and to read the Book of Mormon.<br /><br />The Kingdom will roll ever on, Zion will continue to be established, but for today, and in gratitude for the past 54 years of service to the Kingdom as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, We Thank Thee Oh God for Thomas Spencer Monson<br /><br />On behalf of the Mormon Geeks community, we express our deepest condolences to the Monson family and invite all of our readers to follow President Monson's example by serving those around you over the next seven days.<br /><br /><br /><br />**Details of President Monson's funeral can be found <a href="https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-monson-funeral-arrangements-announced?cid=HP_TU_3-1-2018_dPAD_fFNRL-MNSN_xLIDyL1-A_" target="_blank">here</a>**<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-49963294171891188182017-12-26T13:58:00.001-08:002017-12-26T13:58:36.720-08:00Doctor Who Review: "Twice Upon a Time"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijcPvc9jAD8/WkLESLX9SVI/AAAAAAAAIJM/h6ZlFlxqa9MpRQoxF6LdLCgdq4DaYMAVQCLcBGAs/s1600/twice-upon-a-time-doctor-who.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ijcPvc9jAD8/WkLESLX9SVI/AAAAAAAAIJM/h6ZlFlxqa9MpRQoxF6LdLCgdq4DaYMAVQCLcBGAs/s320/twice-upon-a-time-doctor-who.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Merry Christmas! Merry Doctor Who Christmas Special! I just barely finished watching the Christmas special, so I want to share my thoughts ASAP. <b>Warning: Spoilers ahead</b>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So I think this is the first multi-Doctor story that doesn’t have a villain. I recently finished classic Doctor Who and they all have villains: “The Three Doctors” (Omega), “The Five Doctors” (Borusa), “The Two Doctors” (Dastari and the Sontarans), and “The Day of the Doctor” (Sontarans and Daleks). This was definitely a twist, pulling out a person-versus-self plot, when most of us expected a person-versus-foe plot. So as far as this story goes, I was kept guessing and on my toes, so I liked it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FzUBmPuPyQ/WkLEc__5qSI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/Oiy5v7G7DeMoUmwUz1Kk2kbotMvmuuzJQCLcBGAs/s1600/doctor%2Bcaptain%2Bbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3FzUBmPuPyQ/WkLEc__5qSI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/Oiy5v7G7DeMoUmwUz1Kk2kbotMvmuuzJQCLcBGAs/s320/doctor%2Bcaptain%2Bbill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I wasn’t a big fan of bringing Bill back. Turned out okay, but it started out as another death cop-out. Bill had a good, satisfying ending and I was worried they’d mess with her ending. Turning her into a memory of herself was a lot more satisfying than somehow resurrecting her.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That being said, I enjoyed the cameos by previous cast members. It was also satisfying to see the Doctor regain his memories of Clara. I knew of course that Bill was returning, but Clara and Nardole returning was a pleasant surprise. We even got an appearance by the good Dalek, Rusty, last seen over two years ago. I also very much enjoyed the stand-ins for Polly and Ben and the incorporation of the Classic Who footage. On the topic of recurring characters, David Bradley did a great job as the First Doctor. His mannerisms and the portrayal was spot on for how William Hartnell carried the character back in the 60s. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHG7Eqjp46Q/WkLFWs1PqGI/AAAAAAAAIJc/mVRoWZcqH0Qmk-kkPujzt-9v3fExiW3GgCLcBGAs/s1600/ThirteenthDoctor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHG7Eqjp46Q/WkLFWs1PqGI/AAAAAAAAIJc/mVRoWZcqH0Qmk-kkPujzt-9v3fExiW3GgCLcBGAs/s320/ThirteenthDoctor3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now the topic of the new Doctor: I have my opinions on how I feel about making the Doctor a woman now. Short version is that as long as it’s done without an agenda (which Doctor Who is pretty good at) I’m fine with it. I’m not sure yet how I feel about her entrance. It was reminiscent of the Eleventh Doctor’s entrance (TARDIS blowing up and chaos ensuing). Coincidentally, that time was also a turnover in Doctor, companion, and showrunner. So I guess we’ll see what happens. On a side note, it’s funny how so many of us Whovians associate Steven Moffat with killing off characters, and yet again we see Moffat not kill off a single person, even during World War I. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">What did you think of the Doctor Who Christmas special? Thoughts on our new Thirteenth Doctor? Enjoy New Years, guys! I’ll see you in two weeks.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1kNT401sIQ/WisrCeKbIKI/AAAAAAAAIIw/uMhvdrml890hxdcKGY2Cc0wQEvnKR8_PACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/doctor%2Bwho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1kNT401sIQ/WisrCeKbIKI/AAAAAAAAIIw/uMhvdrml890hxdcKGY2Cc0wQEvnKR8_PACPcBGAYYCw/s320/doctor%2Bwho.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-47850493938696787722017-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:002017-12-20T13:32:54.838-08:00"Other" Geeky Christmas Specials<div class="MsoNormal">Christmas is less than a week away!!! I’ve got one post left after Christmas and then I’ll be gone until after my honeymoon. In honor of Christmas, I wanted to share a few Christmas special episodes you may not have thought of or that you may have forgotten. Sure, everyone thinks to watch “The Santa Clause” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” but for how many decades have sitcoms and cartoons been doing Christmas episodes? Just something to give some variety to your holidays.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3QAgCO6Lf0/WispgoIW56I/AAAAAAAAIII/1YANMq2RAlkfevukfp1F3Ow9ZYC6G2UIACLcBGAs/s1600/digimon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3QAgCO6Lf0/WispgoIW56I/AAAAAAAAIII/1YANMq2RAlkfevukfp1F3Ow9ZYC6G2UIACLcBGAs/s200/digimon.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't have a Christmas special without a monster attack</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Digimon: A Very Digi Christmas<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">In the second season of Digimon, we had a couple short story arcs ending off season two. The second generation of Digi-Destined brought the original Digi-Destined’s partners to the Real World to spend the holidays together. It set things up for the three part “world tour” arc and it meant that everyone was in the Real World for a few of the last battles. While it fits nicely into the storyline of the season (which is saying) it was also just nice to have a Christmas-themed episode. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLfvyyZsRyU/WispzSL_m0I/AAAAAAAAIIM/ti4wrFXG9kgo16DWca-DFhoheHcn6zAJgCLcBGAs/s1600/pokemon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="628" height="152" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLfvyyZsRyU/WispzSL_m0I/AAAAAAAAIIM/ti4wrFXG9kgo16DWca-DFhoheHcn6zAJgCLcBGAs/s200/pokemon.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's Christmas without a simple<br />miscommunication getting out of control?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Pokémon: Holiday Hi-Jynx<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So back when Pokémon was new, Ash and his friends found a Jynx stranded on the beach. They deduce that she belongs to Santa Claus, so they end up making the trip to the North Pole to return her. We also got some tragic backstory from Team Rocket’s Jessie, where she thought Santa’s Jynx stole her toy (really to fix it). So after Santa and Ash beat Team Rocket and resolve Jessie’s backstory, Santa goes off to deliver the presents with his flying Ponyta (back before Stantler and Deerling/Sawsbuck existed). It was a fun episode that had no relevance in the series after this. But then again that’s Pokémon; 90% of it is standalone stories. Still, a fun Christmas episode. Worth a watch.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--f0HA081ovQ/WisqN6Z68eI/AAAAAAAAIIQ/0A90qxKUxpQYwxtZXaX0B5H1xiInGp0aQCLcBGAs/s1600/arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="600" height="116" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--f0HA081ovQ/WisqN6Z68eI/AAAAAAAAIIQ/0A90qxKUxpQYwxtZXaX0B5H1xiInGp0aQCLcBGAs/s200/arrow.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the party started out so well.....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Arrow: Dark Waters<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So Arrow has been doing Christmas episodes since its inception five years ago. So the list of Christmas episodes actually also includes “Year’s End’ (S1), “Three Ghosts” (S2), “The Climb” (S3), and “What We Leave Behind” (S5). Season four’s “Dark Waters” felt like it had a great holiday tie-in, it kept the season’s story arc moving, and it was sufficiently emotional.&nbsp; I’ll leave it like that, to avoid spoilers, but I enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4M19_al-Yg/WisqaZyXQkI/AAAAAAAAIIY/Ju2wARF4LSEwnFGQpBCp6nLBP9DmM8DgwCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bflash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="850" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J4M19_al-Yg/WisqaZyXQkI/AAAAAAAAIIY/Ju2wARF4LSEwnFGQpBCp6nLBP9DmM8DgwCLcBGAs/s200/the%2Bflash.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it bad that I liked him better here than in Star Wars?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Flash: Running to Stand Still<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Like its predecessor Arrow, we’ve had a Christmas episode of the Flash each year since it started. “The Man in the Yellow Suit” (S1) and “The Present” (S3) were great, but I want to focus on Season two’s “Running to Stand Still”. Guest appearance of Mark Hamill as the villain and there was a great Christmas-themed plot to foil. If for no other reason, watch this episode because of how freaky Mr. Skywalker is in the episode. But like Arrow, I’m not going to give spoilers. Just go watch it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LbVtPejOzH4/WisqqqvoFCI/AAAAAAAAIIc/jLe5BIDgn3EtOG4LdgLI8xttUeGIwCYowCLcBGAs/s1600/community.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="640" height="131" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LbVtPejOzH4/WisqqqvoFCI/AAAAAAAAIIc/jLe5BIDgn3EtOG4LdgLI8xttUeGIwCYowCLcBGAs/s200/community.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The power of music and friendship!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Community: Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So if you enjoy comedy and anything enjoyable, make sure you’ve watched Community. If you haven’t, go on Hulu and start episode one now. They do a wonderful job on this show of parodying other franchises and having plenty of pop culture references. So of course their Christmas episode had to parody “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and other Claymation Christmas classics. Musical numbers, Christmas-themed epiphany, and whatever wacky adventures they wanted to do. And it was all in Abed’s head (spoiler alert). Seriously, if you haven’t watched this show, do it now.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So obviously I haven’t hit all the Christmas specials, but in addition to these I’ve previously reviewed <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2015/12/christmas-who-doctor-who-christmas.html">Doctor Who</a> Christmas Specials and a variety of <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2015/12/a-very-disney-christmas.html">Disney specials</a>. What Disney specials did I miss, particularly the geeky ones? Next year I’d kind of like to do a post on the Friends Christmas episodes. What do you think?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1kNT401sIQ/WisrCeKbIKI/AAAAAAAAIIg/dFOA4NO8qrsbjhIMIYqJ1kOdwfwlE1tXgCLcBGAs/s1600/doctor%2Bwho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1kNT401sIQ/WisrCeKbIKI/AAAAAAAAIIg/dFOA4NO8qrsbjhIMIYqJ1kOdwfwlE1tXgCLcBGAs/s320/doctor%2Bwho.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget there's a new Doctor Who next week, featuring the First Doctor and a likely regeneration.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-76431770667036134262017-12-18T10:59:00.001-08:002018-02-12T18:03:23.820-08:00Star Wars: A Retospective<br />There probably isn’t a point to lobbying yet another Star Wars: The Last Jedi review into the internet. If you haven’t seen it yet then you’re either planning on seeing it or don’t care about the franchise, so my opinon is probably moot on the film itself, so I’d like to go ahead and talk about the series as a whole, where it is, and what needs to happen next.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBQKVj32gbw/WjgPV9S5_BI/AAAAAAAALWA/HnmfRdfq6T4u-_lW2yOBkJbLwzZf7GmSwCLcBGAs/s1600/starwars18f-2-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="750" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBQKVj32gbw/WjgPV9S5_BI/AAAAAAAALWA/HnmfRdfq6T4u-_lW2yOBkJbLwzZf7GmSwCLcBGAs/s320/starwars18f-2-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoilers: People fight</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Where We’ve Been<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time the Star Wars franchise consisted of three films and a handful of novels considered by fans to be cannon. Back then fans begged for more cannon, anything (As long as nobody mentioned Life Day) that would add to the story in the galaxy far far away. So then they got it, a prequel taking place a couple dozen years before New Hope. To say that the Phantom Menace was hyped is an understatement. You couldn’t swing a dead Gungan without hitting something related to Phantom when it was first released. The film had mixed reception, kids loved it since there was lots of stuff blowing up and even some cool monsters, but longtime fans wanted it burned at the stake. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Fans got what they asked for but not what they wanted. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Curse of Choice<o:p></o:p></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlNS2wbUaoY/WjgPOuGawbI/AAAAAAAALV8/2JgNY_O3s7UvU0RSDhB4B3e3v_KKkxeSwCLcBGAs/s1600/HK47photoshoot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlNS2wbUaoY/WjgPOuGawbI/AAAAAAAALV8/2JgNY_O3s7UvU0RSDhB4B3e3v_KKkxeSwCLcBGAs/s1600/HK47photoshoot1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HK-47, please come into the mainstream...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;Now we’re up to 9 official films, hundreds of novels and comic books, a couple dozen video games and at least three TV shows, most of which was erased from the main story with the exception of the films by decree of Daddy Disney, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Essentially there is something for everyone in Star Wars if you’re willing to look hard enough, and you can pick and choose which stories you subscribe to. This is the same problem DC and Marvel have dealt with for years. With so much content and more being added on a regular basis, it’s almost impossible to catch up let alone keep up. Now we have a 2+ hour movie sitting in the theaters adding even more to the already formidable pile, and while the movie was overall good, it didn’t really progress the story. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Real Issue<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The best part of any story is the conclusion. What would A Christmas Carol be if afterwards we kept seeing movies of Scrooge failing at being nice or honoring holidays and meet one ghost after another like a Victorian Scooby Doo? What would happen if Frodo came back to Middle Earth because Sauron’s son was now in Mordor trying to take over the world? Three words: Land Before Time. When a story is told it’s because someone had a story to tell. When a story is expanded because someone is dangling the carrot of more money over the writer, the story will suffer because there is no need for a satisfying conclusion. Star Wars had a satisfying conclusion once, it was at the end of Return of the Jedi. The Empire was defeated, Vader was saved and dead, all our mains ended dancing with teddy bears, alls well that ends well. It’s the adding of prequels midquels and the next generation that’s clogging this francise with bloated excess to the point where we’re no longer telling any kind of story. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>The Disney Purge<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Disney made probably the best choice if not the most controversial but declaring anything outside the films to be officially non cannon, essentially reducing the decades of novels, video games ect to extremely high budgeted fan fiction. This has helped with reducing the tangled octopus pod of stories to one quasi cohesive narrative but it has created its own set of problems. Remember a couple weeks ago when EA destroyed Star Wars Battlefront 2? Well it turns out that the story mode in that game is cannon, so if in the future someone from that game shows up in a movie with no introduction or back story then the audience is going to be completely lost. I understand that some characters from one of the animated series made a guest appearance in Rogue 1, but having never watched any of the animated Star Wars for any significant amount of time I can tell you that they had absolutely no impact on me as a viewer. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Happily Ever After? <o:p></o:p></b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSM9Iki_qo/WjgPOnXUj_I/AAAAAAAALV4/6YPqKz4UQ-0ESC7w4oddUdSyNmqrTM6yQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ewok-celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="485" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUSM9Iki_qo/WjgPOnXUj_I/AAAAAAAALV4/6YPqKz4UQ-0ESC7w4oddUdSyNmqrTM6yQCLcBGAs/s320/Ewok-celebration.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd party with bears.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I know you don’t want to hear this, but in the end I think what Star Wars, and a lot of franchises for that matter, need a solid conclusion. Not a reboot, not more prequels, an ending. I like how in Batman Vs. Superman that they put Batman’s origin story in the opening credits, basically saying “Yeah we know how this goes. Dirty alley, rich parents, pearls hit the ground” and then we roll into the story for better or worse. Compare this to Gotham, which has endeavored to stretch Batman’s origin story so far beyond from where it was that it barely resembles Batman. Plus considering how all his villains keep popping up years before he puts on the cowl, it’s a wonder why Batman didn’t just routinely head to the retirement home every evening instead of Arkham Asylum. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">To put this massive rant into a more bite size portion: Star Wars: The Last Jedi was fine but where is this all going?&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">-JOE</div>Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-56027356068494777782017-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:002017-12-13T08:44:01.573-08:00Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 8<div class="MsoNormal">Agents of SHIELD started up again recently! And with Runaways going right now too, there are so many Marvel things to keep up with. Unfortunately, this week isn’t about Runaways. But it is about SHIELD. I’ve got two small chunks of SHIELD as well as two feature movies. So here we go.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUgtje8GZuQ/WisHYw3KihI/AAAAAAAAIGk/DgN94vHdG1MsYTd81SWmEPJzrfretnu8gCLcBGAs/s1600/Melinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="570" height="177" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUgtje8GZuQ/WisHYw3KihI/AAAAAAAAIGk/DgN94vHdG1MsYTd81SWmEPJzrfretnu8gCLcBGAs/s320/Melinda.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becoming the Cavalry</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Agents of SHIELD: Season 2 (Episodes 17-19)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><b>17. Melinda:</b> We start seven years ago (2008). May and Coulson are in Bahrain taking care of an enhanced individual. As things turn out, the enhanced individual is an inhuman child with mind control powers. In present-day Afterlife, Jiaying teaches Skye to use her powers and reveals she’s Skye’s mother. Skye has dinner with her parents. Lincoln suspects Raina is clairvoyant.</li><li><b>18. The Frenemy of My Enemy: </b>Bobby and Mack discuss Fury’s Toolbox and Coulson.<b> </b>Simmons reaches out to May.<b> </b>Coulson, Hunter, and Mike team up with Ward, in exchange for helping him take down von Strucker. Cal and Skye visit Milwaukee, where Skye contacts May for backup. Skye and Cal get ambushed by Hydra agents. Needing support, Coulson surrenders to Bobbi and Mack.</li><li><b>19. The Dirty Half Dozen:</b>Jiaying talks to Raina about her dreams.<b></b>Cal confronts Jiaying. Coulson teams up with Gonzales. Coulson’s old team works together (including Skye and Ward) to infiltrate the Hydra base and rescue Lincoln and Mike. Simmons accidentally kills Bakshi. The team escapes without Ward. Raina has a vision of Loki’s scepter. Coulson talks to Hill about another Hydra base.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcZIDnLCg0s/WisI80fTJEI/AAAAAAAAIGo/wa--9H-QqzM-ABlyky6oMjjH22W2h1lTwCLcBGAs/s1600/dirty%2Bhalf%2Bdozen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcZIDnLCg0s/WisI80fTJEI/AAAAAAAAIGo/wa--9H-QqzM-ABlyky6oMjjH22W2h1lTwCLcBGAs/s320/dirty%2Bhalf%2Bdozen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulson's team reunites for one last mission</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Wolfgang von Strucker (who appeared in “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-5.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Winter Soldier</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">” credit scene and who later appeared in “Age of Ultron”) appears in a photograph in “The Frenemy of my Enemy”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The twins mentioned in “The Dirty Half Dozen” were last seen in the credits scene of “The Winter Soldier” and they become an important part of “Age of Ultron”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The events of “The Dirty Half Dozen” foreshadow and directly precede the events of “Age of Ultron”.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nice little prelude to “Age of Ultron”. It led up well with the infiltration of Hydra. We also got some resolution on why May is called the Cavalry, which has been teased since the beginning of the series.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0w85YmyCeI/WisJpspNkRI/AAAAAAAAIGs/-Ml0NxewbYwwp6SoWp91tr1K5RRjax9ggCLcBGAs/s1600/avengers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="640" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0w85YmyCeI/WisJpspNkRI/AAAAAAAAIGs/-Ml0NxewbYwwp6SoWp91tr1K5RRjax9ggCLcBGAs/s320/avengers.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Avengers take down a Hydra base.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Avengers: Age of Ultron<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Avengers take down a Hydra facility, capturing Loki’s scepter and encountering Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Analyzing the scepter, Tony puts it to use towards Ultron (an AI system to replace the Avengers). During their celebration, Ultron takes life and attacks. Ultron uses the scepter and allies himself with the Maximoff twins to fight the Avengers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Obtaining vibranium, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Ultron fight the Avengers, driving them crazy with visions. The Avengers take refuse at the Barton farm. Thor looks for answers to his visions. Fury inspires the Avengers. Ultron works to make a real body, but loses the allegiance of the twins to the Avengers in the process. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">With JARVIS in Ultron’s synthetic body, Thor energizes him and he becomes the Vision. The Avengers team up with the Vision, the twins, War Machine, the Falcon, and SHIELD assets to save Sokovia and stopping Ultron from killing humanity. The Vision ultimately defeats Ultron.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">After creating a new base, the Avengers part ways for a time. Elsewhere, somewhere in outer space, Thanos obtains the Infinity Gauntlet. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83Efv1NU0i4/WisJumHx8FI/AAAAAAAAIGw/N7gZrxV8nicbyNFsq3F4BVRMLX-Z4pnXgCLcBGAs/s1600/vision%2Bultron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="640" height="139" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83Efv1NU0i4/WisJumHx8FI/AAAAAAAAIGw/N7gZrxV8nicbyNFsq3F4BVRMLX-Z4pnXgCLcBGAs/s320/vision%2Bultron.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vision faces off against Ultron</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Connections/Trivia:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Loki’s scepter, which contained the Infinity Stone which ultimately resides in Vision’s forehead, was given to Loki by Thanos in “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/06/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-3.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Avengers</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">War Machine (from the </span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Iron%20Man" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Iron Man</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> films) and the Falcon (from “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-5.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Winter Soldier</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">”) appear alongside the Avengers.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Tesseract/Space Stone (from “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/02/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-1.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The First Avenger</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">” and “The Avengers”), the Aether/Reality Stone (from “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-4.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Dark World</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">”), and the Orb/Power Stone (from “</span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/10/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-6.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Guardians of the Galaxy</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">”) appear in Thor’s vision.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Leviathans from the Battle of New York in “The Avengers” appear in Tony’s vision.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I remember seeing this movie when it came out while I was in Spain on my study abroad. It holds a very awesome and special place in my heart because it’s from when I really started getting into Marvel movies. There was a lot going on and it may have been a mistake to do this as one movie instead of two. I read once that Thor’s visions were very much cut down but hinted toward “Thor: Raganrok”. Now that I’ve seen “Ragnarok” twice I’m interested to watch “Age of Ultron” again. I know people who didn’t care for this movie, but all I remember was geeking out in Madrid over this movie.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2PjXbAPT0g/WisKgAO6jII/AAAAAAAAIG8/yT91HqcmIqEB8jenWxXH2ez8bpHZSgn5QCLcBGAs/s1600/scars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2PjXbAPT0g/WisKgAO6jII/AAAAAAAAIG8/yT91HqcmIqEB8jenWxXH2ez8bpHZSgn5QCLcBGAs/s320/scars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina works with Gordon</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Agents of SHIELD: Season 2 (Episodes 20-22)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><b>20. Scars:</b> A year ago, Sam and Coulson discuss the Helicarrier for the Theta Protocol. In the present, Weaver, Gonzales, Bobbi, and Coulson discuss recent events in Sokovia. Coulson and Gonzales join forces. Raina and Gordon sneak into SHIELD and find the Monolith. Skye and Lincoln return to Afterlife before SHIELD arrives. Agent 33 and Ward kidnap Bobbi. Jiaying kills Gonzales and shoots herself to frame him.</li><li><b>21. S.O.S. Part 1</b>: Jiaying declares war on SHIELD. Skye goes to Raina for answers. May and Hunter go after Bobbi. Skye sees Jiaying kill Raina. Coulson questions Cal. Simmons and Coulson aggravate Cal. Gordon and the Inhumans attack SHIELD’s ship.</li><li><b>22. S.O.S. Part 2</b>: Skye and Mack attempt to liberate the SHIELD ship. Hunter and May rescue Bobbi, killing Agent 33 in the process. Fitz, Coulson, May, and Cal go after the SHIELD ship. Skye confronts her mom. Lincoln and May stop Alisha. Fitz traps Gordon. Jiaying tries to steal Skye’s lifeforce but Skye distracts her by getting rid of the Terrigen Crystals and Cal kills Jiayjing. In the aftermath of the fight, Skye (now going by Daisy) visits her mind-wiped father. In the ocean, the Terrigen Crystals dissolve. Simmons is swallowed by the monolith.</li></ul><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTYNi_fMv-Q/WisKq1XmabI/AAAAAAAAIHA/J3QlZwLppMMdF1hG8yNGF-_ChVarFujiACLcBGAs/s1600/sos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RTYNi_fMv-Q/WisKq1XmabI/AAAAAAAAIHA/J3QlZwLppMMdF1hG8yNGF-_ChVarFujiACLcBGAs/s320/sos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulson loses his hand.</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Connections/Trivia:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The events of “Age of Ultron”, specifically Agent Hill arriving with the Helicarriers in Sokovia, is directly referenced in “Scars”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Cal’s memory being altered is due to </span><a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-4.html" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Project TAHITI</a><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a satisfying end to the second season of SHIELD. The three-part finale put an end to the Afterlife arc and kind of set us up for some new stuff the next season. I loved the tie-in to “Age of Ultron”. I love it when Marvel uses SHIELD to answer small, unanswered aspects of the movies. Stuff that’s not big enough to warrant movie time, but easy enough to explain in an episode of TV. It was admittedly a bit slow of a season, but I binged this season on a grave shift, making it really easy for me (although it also made it hard to process).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS4AThMd0EM/WisLDpcav4I/AAAAAAAAIHE/vw1BwT5ZCRYXQ_gSGuhMMrTlo-8tivSHACLcBGAs/s1600/ant-man.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="640" height="173" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS4AThMd0EM/WisLDpcav4I/AAAAAAAAIHE/vw1BwT5ZCRYXQ_gSGuhMMrTlo-8tivSHACLcBGAs/s320/ant-man.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant-Man faces off against the Falcon.</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Ant-Man<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Flashback in 1989, Hank Pym confronts Carson about stealing his technology. In the present day, Scott Lang gets released from prison but can’t get a stable job. Hank visits PymTech and Cross shows him the Yellowjacket. At his friend Luis’s advice, Scott breaks into the Pym home and steals the Ant-Man suit. Freaked out by the suit, Scott returns it but gets caught in the process.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hank helps Scott escape jail and he and his daughter Hope train Scott to be Ant-Man. In training to break into PymTech, Scott fights the Falcon to get some tech. Hank tells Hope the truth about her mother. As Cross gets closer to perfecting the Yellowjacket, Hank, Scott, and Hope recruit Luis and his friends to help.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Scott gets caught in the break-in to PymTech. Hope and Hank escape. To win his fight with Cross, Scott ends up in the Quantum Realm, but manages to escape. Scott reconciles with his family. As everything resolves, Scott finds out from Luis that the Falcon is looking for him. Later on, Hank gives the prototype Wasp suit to Hope. At a later time, the Falcon and Captain America question Bucky Barnes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv5-DGsyhQ0/WisLJ5_JqaI/AAAAAAAAIHI/H4wO3ZrRCosMQyXJ2jaAIPBhZ8knGW4rACLcBGAs/s1600/ant-man%2Bfather%2Bmoment.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="640" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv5-DGsyhQ0/WisLJ5_JqaI/AAAAAAAAIHI/H4wO3ZrRCosMQyXJ2jaAIPBhZ8knGW4rACLcBGAs/s320/ant-man%2Bfather%2Bmoment.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful father-daughter moments in Ant-Man</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Connections/Trivia:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The events of “Age of Ultron” in Sokovia are referenced by Hank Pym when he refers to the Avengers dropping cities out of the sky.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The post-credit scene with Captain America is a scene that takes place in “Captain America: Civil War”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A “Pingo Doce Soda” poster appears. Bruce Banner worked at their manufacturing plant in “The Incredible Hulk”.</span></li><li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In Luis’s final conversation of the movie, he references a hero who swings from buildings, alluding to Spider-Man, who would later appear in “Civil War”.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I loved the balance of humor and action in this movie. Kind of a nice in-between of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and &nbsp;“Captain America: The First Avenger”. It’s also great because it could exist as a standalone movie. You don’t have to watch the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to enjoy it. Though the references to SHIELD, the Avengers, and other Marvel groups makes it that much better if you do watch it. Only thing that I’d really want to change is Evangeline Lilly’s wig.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">What were your thoughts on “Age of Ultron”, the last third of “Agents of SHIELD” Season 2, and “Ant-Man”? Anythin&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-90658494685364838922017-12-07T09:24:00.000-08:002017-12-07T09:24:48.797-08:00Pokémon Theories (2)<div class="MsoNormal">Last month, we got a brand new Pokémon game (and the last for the 3DS). So in honor of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, I’ve got some more Pokémon theories for you today.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97WkmnA7C-0/WiBDdwMuTBI/AAAAAAAAIFU/TtkbL2tTjnogy6yCtTvNiV6S0HD52797ACLcBGAs/s1600/genesect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="114" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97WkmnA7C-0/WiBDdwMuTBI/AAAAAAAAIFU/TtkbL2tTjnogy6yCtTvNiV6S0HD52797ACLcBGAs/s200/genesect.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">In Generation V, a legendary pseudo-synthetic Pokémon named Genesect was introduced. It’s said that its original DNA was from an ancient Pokémon. Now go look at Genesect alongside Kabutops from Generation I. They’re both the same general shape and Kabutops is an ancient/extinct Pokémon. Simple evidence and I’m going to believe it until someone proves it wrong. (Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1dhKPbxvcI">Creeps Plays</a>)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Next theory is about Haunter and Voltorb. The theory goes that Voltorb (and I guess Electrode as an extension) I just a Pokéball possessed by a Haunter. The eyes are almost the same between Voltorb and Haunter, so it would kind of make sense. Screen Rant further theorizes that Haunter just got stuck in the Pokéball, making it a weird genderless Pokémon/Pokéball hybrid. I don’t buy into this theory personally, but it’s still fun. (Source: <a href="https://screenrant.com/dark-pokemon-fan-theories-creepy-ditto/">Screen Rant</a>)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Clefable and Gengar seem to genuine be opposites of each other. So some people believe Gengar is Clefable’s shadow. If you look at a silhouette of Clefable, it makes sense. They look very similar. More evidence includes Gengar’s classification as the “shadow” Pokémon. One more thing that “Creeps Plays” points out is that until Pokémon X/Y, when Fairy type was added, Clefable and Gengar were opposite types, unable to hit each other. (Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1dhKPbxvcI">Creeps Plays</a>)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--n168WHvR0c/WiBDlqQurTI/AAAAAAAAIFY/y4VaCyV0H-MUuvoQaoSxxDSeLu73-r38wCLcBGAs/s1600/N%2Bzoroark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="385" height="171" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--n168WHvR0c/WiBDlqQurTI/AAAAAAAAIFY/y4VaCyV0H-MUuvoQaoSxxDSeLu73-r38wCLcBGAs/s200/N%2Bzoroark.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m not too familiar with Generation V (I’ve played through White and I’m working on Black2), but there is a character on White/Black named N. The theory goes that he is a Zoroark in disguise. Zoroark can mimic Pokémon (and I presume people as well?) so it’s reasonable to think he could take human form in N. We also know that N can communicate with Pokémon, which would make sense if he’s really a Pokémon. Finally, there’s a point in Black2/White2 (which I haven’t reached yet) where you see a flashback of N, but instead of N appearing, you see a mysterious Zoroark. I can give more input on this when I reach that part of Black2, but that’s all for now. (Source: <a href="https://screenrant.com/craziest-pokemon-fan-theories/">Screen Rant</a>)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next is that the Kalos Elite Four is evil (or at least supportive) of Team Flare. Never mind the fact that one member of the Elite Four in Kalos is part of Team Flare. Also look at the fact that Diantha (the Champion) is chummy with Lysandre. After just re-playing Pokémon Y, I’m not sure I buy into this theory, because Diantha seems surprised about how fiendish and evil Lysandre is. I also noticed in my recent playthrough that people are still scared and worried about Team Flare, despite not helping to stop them. (Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IquDoC-OAI">Pokémon Insider</a>) <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkYexwMAcTw/WiB1X5MKbyI/AAAAAAAAIFo/IBzLZZp2960UygE2Vd_-ax4CFoI_gagVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cynthia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkYexwMAcTw/WiB1X5MKbyI/AAAAAAAAIFo/IBzLZZp2960UygE2Vd_-ax4CFoI_gagVgCLcBGAs/s200/Cynthia.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another theory by Pokémon Insider is about Drasna and Cynthia. Drasna, member of the Elite Four in Kalos (Gen VI), mentions that her family comes from another region, where she was brought up on stories of time (Dialga) and space (Palkia). This hints that she could very likely be related to Cynthia, who is from Celestic Town in the Sinnoh Region (where “the past lives on”). Depending on how you look at the timeline of the Pokémon games, Drasna could even be the unnamed younger sister of Cynthia from Diamond and Pearl. Cynthia’s family is known for dragon-type training, so it would make sense that they’d both be dragon-type trainers. (Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOkcjHrPuaY">Pokémon Insider</a>)<o:p></o:p></div><div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So I thought I’d run out of Pokémon theories, but I guess I still have more in my arsenal. Still need to track down sources for them, so I’ll let this post as is and come back with another Pokémon theory post another time. One of the ones I have yet to address is why Ash is ageless (and no, it’s not a coma) and the identity of Valerie, the Fairy-Type Gym Leader in Pokémon X/Y. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Any fun theories you subscribe to?&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-58007874774700709752017-12-05T12:29:00.000-08:002018-02-12T18:04:06.534-08:00Top 10 Worst Christmas SongsYeah, I'm a Scrooge.<br /><br />So sue me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxJUp11V46s/WibFxVf_0hI/AAAAAAAALL8/pRwId2zOyrMGa-3AHMwRnRT-j5Oa3pbTQCLcBGAs/s1600/christmas-carol-a-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="647" height="214" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bxJUp11V46s/WibFxVf_0hI/AAAAAAAALL8/pRwId2zOyrMGa-3AHMwRnRT-j5Oa3pbTQCLcBGAs/s320/christmas-carol-a-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You'll probably win.<br /><br />Anyway, here's ten short rants on Christmas songs you probably love for some reason.<br /><br />10: Christmas Shoes<br />In and of itself this song isn't THAT awful. The message is alright if a bit corney. A child tries to buy a new pair of shoes for his dying mother at Christmas because he wants her to look beautiful when she meets Jesus. Why is it on this list then? Two words: Hallmark movie. They actually tried to milk this for a full length film, and when I hear this song I think of that train wreck of modern cinema. Shame.<br /><br />9: Feliz Navidad<br />This song is hated less for it's connection to Christmas but more to its structure in general. It's the same couple lines repeated ad nausea. The gimmick is that some of the lyrics say Merry Christmas in Spanish. I don't get why there's this fascination with how Christmas is celebrated in other countries, but surely we could get a Spanish lesson and some sort of a narrative at the same time.<br /><br /><br />8: Anything by the Beach Boys<br />Again, another general issue I have with music in general, or at least with this band: The Beach Boys. Every year these idiots crawl back onto every radio station like a zombie from its grave, and every year I switch the station. It's just song after song about being with a girl on a beach, only this time it's Christmas-over and over again. They're not even that different. I'd welcome Billy the Christmas shark who brings presents to beach bums, but we don't even get that.<br /><br />7: I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas<br />This is a note to all parents of small children: You may think it's cute to hear your kid sing, but WE DON'T. Keep them off your voicemails, your Facebook pages, and please don't get them on my radio. This song has all the talent of a poorly rehearsed Primary program.<br /><br />6: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas<br />Lyrically this song's alright. It basically sounds like several Christmas cards strung together. The issue is that the tune is something akin to a funeral dirge. It's a slow ploddy song that doesn't match the lyrics at all. It's as if they're singing it sarcastically, like a teenager in the local nativity. I don't care who sings it, it's a bore to listen to.<br /><br />5: Chipmunk's Christmas<br />First question: Why do the Chipmonks have a Christmas song? Second question, why do the Chipmonks still exist? Turning the speed on the track up to give the singers squeaky voices is cute once or twice but these things have been around for a good 50+ years and the charm has warn off long ago. Its not even a song I could get behind if we did euthanize the little rodents, because they'd probably re cut it with children, and see #7 for my opinion on that.<br /><br />4: Hard Candy Christmas<br />This one doesn't get played that often but when it does it's still baffling to understand why. Despite the title, Hard Candy Christmas is not about Christmas. The song, originally sung by Dolly Parton, is about getting through hard times. The reference to Christmas is incidental at best. Give it a listen sometime and explain to me how it's a Christmas song.<br /><br />3: White Christmas<br />Here's an interesting one: Make Bing Crosby sing this song and it's another Christmas dirge. Make the Beach Boys sing this song and it's a tonal nightmare, but that's not why it's here. First the concept of a white Christmas is stupid at best. I get the wanting to feel nostalgic, but hoping that a major snow storm hits at or around a major travel holiday is borderline sadistic. On top of that, fun fact, the film this song is supposed to have sprung from isn't even the original film this song is from. It's from a delightful, arguably better if racially insensitive, film called Holiday Inn. Give credit where credit is due.<br /><br />2: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree<br />THERE IS NOTHING RESEMBLING ROCK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SONG. This song sounds like someone's aunt was convinced to do karaoke. It's a boring song missing the beat, instruments and heart that any sort of rock would have. This song is a lie.<br /><br />1: We Need a Little Christmas<br />This song is abysmal. It's about dragging out all the Christms stuff to make it feel like Christmas as soon as possible because we need it to feel like Christmas right now. Some selfish brat wants to bust open everything and destroy the house because she needs to be cheered up? Calm down, watch Frozen, and leave the Christmas stuff in storage where it belongs.<br /><br />What Christmas songs can you not stand?<br /><br />-JOE<br /><br /><br /><br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-49759189608713466302017-11-30T08:47:00.000-08:002017-11-30T08:47:30.700-08:00The Seventh Doctor<div class="MsoNormal">All done Classic Doctor Who! This is a project I started over two years ago on grave shifts, back when Classic Doctor Who was on Hulu. So for two and a half years I’ve used a combination of Hulu, Netflix DVDs, and Britbox to watch all available Doctor Who. So minus the missing and incomplete stories from the First Doctor and Second Doctor eras, I’ve watched all the Doctor Who stories. So without further ado, here’s the Seventh Doctor. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWz5tHxoVEU/Whh45tFrB8I/AAAAAAAAIDc/vzErP1LnVXUt_CE1Qq5luLajIu_fX3T-wCLcBGAs/s1600/seventh%2Bdoctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWz5tHxoVEU/Whh45tFrB8I/AAAAAAAAIDc/vzErP1LnVXUt_CE1Qq5luLajIu_fX3T-wCLcBGAs/s320/seventh%2Bdoctor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWcSjxgzdF8/Whh3RWBqOlI/AAAAAAAAICw/0nQxpmjcQWAESZ7RU9LuFrm06pr0yS1sgCLcBGAs/s1600/time%2Band%2Bthe%2Brani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="600" height="134" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gWcSjxgzdF8/Whh3RWBqOlI/AAAAAAAAICw/0nQxpmjcQWAESZ7RU9LuFrm06pr0yS1sgCLcBGAs/s200/time%2Band%2Bthe%2Brani.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Seventh Doctor with the diguised Rani</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Season 24<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Top Story: Time and the Rani<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">This story gave a soft reset to the Sixth Doctor era. It also gave the Rani a second run. Wonderful use of her character. I liked it a lot more than her previous story in the Sixth Doctor era. Better use of her character. Better use of the Doctor. Just a good starting point. On a side note, I would love to see the Rani back, with or without a regeneration sequence. Since Gallifrey is back, it’d be so easy to give an already-regenerated Rani.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Flop Story: Delta and the Bannerman<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So overall, just…. What was going on? The action of the episode seemed to be an action movie/mystery feel, but then the music reminded me of a comedy. To top it off, I don’t even really remember what was going on. The Doctor and Mel found a vacation spot, which turned into a mystery (not surprising) but it was just weird. Just weird.<o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wj8zilzMQQ/Whh3X9IK1fI/AAAAAAAAIC0/GPQewdNG3iIB2hwBeD-lmL1Z4rev9f1GACLcBGAs/s1600/dragonfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="470" height="145" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wj8zilzMQQ/Whh3X9IK1fI/AAAAAAAAIC0/GPQewdNG3iIB2hwBeD-lmL1Z4rev9f1GACLcBGAs/s200/dragonfire.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Dragonfire" TARDIS team</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Honorable Mention: Dragonfire<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The episode itself was a little odd, but there were several reasons I enjoyed it. Firstly, with Mel leaving, we had a smooth transition to Ace. I wish we had more of that in Doctor Who. I’d imagine more feeling of continuity in the show, if we didn’t just abruptly leave the Doctor without any companion all the time. So just for the double companion nature of the story, I liked it. In addition, we had the return of Glitz. Also take note that the “cliffhanger” of the Doctor hanging from his umbrella reappeared in “The Name of the Doctor” with the Clara Oswald splinter seeing the Doctor.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnm6VJx0Vo0/Whh3dyd7SgI/AAAAAAAAIC4/GQb4LXpv2FEkaHiCBmZ-4CMvzABbax8QwCLcBGAs/s1600/happiness%2Bpatrol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnm6VJx0Vo0/Whh3dyd7SgI/AAAAAAAAIC4/GQb4LXpv2FEkaHiCBmZ-4CMvzABbax8QwCLcBGAs/s200/happiness%2Bpatrol.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think we also punish people for being sad?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Season 25<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Top Story: The Happiness Patrol</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">A bit of a convoluted story, but I really liked it for the message. Similarly to “Smile” in the Twelfth Doctor era, this story had the premise of any emotion besides joy being bad. I liked the emphasis of happiness being just one part of the spectrum of human emotions. As demonstrated by even the big bad of the story, grief and sadness have their place in life. It’s normal and healthy to mourn and be sad at times.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Flop Story: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I really liked the premise of the story, but the execution was off. That was kind of how I felt about several stories at this point in Doctor Who. If one of the four episodes had been chopped off and the pace of the episode increased, this story would have probably worked. But as it was, it had some slow, dull moments that turned me off.<o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp3qKRvLdqA/Whh3kIHfDPI/AAAAAAAAIC8/-n0GPYFzmF0X8K_PeU8pPyM0gR-L71hDwCLcBGAs/s1600/remembrance%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdaleks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="622" height="136" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp3qKRvLdqA/Whh3kIHfDPI/AAAAAAAAIC8/-n0GPYFzmF0X8K_PeU8pPyM0gR-L71hDwCLcBGAs/s200/remembrance%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdaleks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epic Ace. Who else could kill a Dalek with a bat?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Honorable Mention: Remembrance of the Daleks<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Honorable mention because of how much it hearkened back to the first story of Doctor Who. I wanted to make note of the return to Coal Hill and the return of Susan’s book about the French Revolution. We even got some answer about why the Doctor was in 1963 when the series began. We also had the return of the Daleks and the return of Davros (last time until the Tenth Doctor era). We also had the Doctor pretending to apply to be the school’s caretaker (like he eventually does in the Twelfth Doctor era). Also, just how awesome is Ace, taking out a Dalek with an amped up baseball bat.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCeO3v9qzxs/Whh4CYNdUII/AAAAAAAAIDE/xaFOrbt_cq8NMwyDuTk2TYX76MQ3ysa1wCLcBGAs/s1600/survival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCeO3v9qzxs/Whh4CYNdUII/AAAAAAAAIDE/xaFOrbt_cq8NMwyDuTk2TYX76MQ3ysa1wCLcBGAs/s200/survival.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Doctor and the Master face off.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Season 26<o:p></o:p></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Top Story: Survival<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So despite Season 26 being dull, I enjoyed Survival. It was the last appearance of the Master, as played by Ainley. It also gave some backstory to Ace. I know Season 26 tried to give some history to Ace, but I found it hard to follow. This story, however, was a perfect example of why the three-episode stories worked well. This story was well paced, but any longer would have been exhausting.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Flop Story: Ghost Light<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">And to contrast “Survival”, this story was another four-part story that was too long. It was slow and convoluted and I felt like there was too much going on. There was a ghost story, references to Darwinism as an underlying theme, aliens, and then a weird personification of light and control. Other than some backstory on Ace, I didn’t really see what the point of this story was.<o:p></o:p></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMJ-tcMLTg/Whh4IR-bcZI/AAAAAAAAIDI/y1gFgQIO7dcOaJtiImlwDxn-MR8qyNtgQCLcBGAs/s1600/battlefield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGMJ-tcMLTg/Whh4IR-bcZI/AAAAAAAAIDI/y1gFgQIO7dcOaJtiImlwDxn-MR8qyNtgQCLcBGAs/s200/battlefield.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For possibly the last time, the Doctor reunites with the Brig.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Honorable Mention: Battlefield<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">This story had all the stuff I like of Doctor Who: an alien mystery, a tie-in of literature, and a popular recurring character. We had the reference to Arthurian legend, as visitors from a parallel world, and then we had the return of the Brigadier. Oh and we also had a future incarnation of the Doctor revealed to be Merlin. It reminds me of River Song’s line: “I hate good wizards in fairy tales; they always turn out to be him.” Now imagine if we saw a modern Doctor being Merlin in the story that would have chronologically happened before this for Camelot. (There’s another idea for a post: good wizards the Doctor could be and which Doctor would be which)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">COMPANIONS:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6th Doctor) - Dragonfire<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ace&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dragonfire - UNKNOWN<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTlt-KOr59g/Whh4dtmEcxI/AAAAAAAAIDM/FqukQglKTsk71DReAEYuVUcQgW9sGg4MgCLcBGAs/s1600/ace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="976" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTlt-KOr59g/Whh4dtmEcxI/AAAAAAAAIDM/FqukQglKTsk71DReAEYuVUcQgW9sGg4MgCLcBGAs/s200/ace.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ace: Obsessed with explosives</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Favorite Companion:</b>Ace was a wonderfully complex character. Her backstory and character arc were a bit too convoluted and not well developed. That being said, I didn’t need to see her backstory to enjoy her character. She was a confident, kick-butt companion, who didn’t need to hide behind the Doctor. It kind of reminds me of how Ian Chesterton and Harry Sullivan were used to be the action heroes for the First and Fourth Doctors, but in this case we didn’t need a male action hero because the female companion already kicked butt. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASKHE5VTtq8/Whh4x7AsZ1I/AAAAAAAAIDY/POXD5PFxUzwZUwMcR6G2A9ILYbLG2KT_ACLcBGAs/s1600/mel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="390" height="153" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASKHE5VTtq8/Whh4x7AsZ1I/AAAAAAAAIDY/POXD5PFxUzwZUwMcR6G2A9ILYbLG2KT_ACLcBGAs/s200/mel.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy 80s! Look at those shoulder pads!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Least Favorite Companion: </b>So if you remember from my Sixth Doctor post, I like Mel. And I really liked her in “Time and the Rani” but she didn’t hold a candle to Ace. She also didn’t seem to mesh as well with the Seventh Doctor as she did with the Sixth Doctor (never thought I’d say that about anyone). So she wasn’t a bad companion, just the screamer companion I guess. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So what do you think of the Seventh Doctor? What other “good wizards” do you think the Doctor has been? You can expect one Doctor Who post each month now. Next month will be about the Christmas special with the First and Twelfth Doctors and then in the new year I’ll address the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Doctors.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c23kqmONNjo/Whh5Czu4tSI/AAAAAAAAIDg/0AOeVUEGLmIIKtX_o_Ol17MT6FX6TLBswCLcBGAs/s1600/final%2Bmoments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="600" height="181" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c23kqmONNjo/Whh5Czu4tSI/AAAAAAAAIDg/0AOeVUEGLmIIKtX_o_Ol17MT6FX6TLBswCLcBGAs/s320/final%2Bmoments.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because the series was cancelled abruptly, we never see what happened to Ace. When meeting Sylvester McCoy at SLC Comic Con, he said he hoped Ace had gotten into politics. Alternatively, in the Sarah Jane Adventures, it's noted that a "Dorothy" (Ace's legal first name) who knew the Doctor, was raising millions for her charity organization.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qktUGYQrgG4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qktUGYQrgG4</a></div><div><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14vhle">http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14vhle</a></div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-44732481010023919712017-11-28T10:00:00.000-08:002018-02-12T18:04:54.681-08:00The Cost of Gaming<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGzadYNrR0I/Wh2JUITtxLI/AAAAAAAALGI/MFuiMICDZMcFTBxoAvP-GDbWGx1zaoGyACLcBGAs/s1600/Mario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UGzadYNrR0I/Wh2JUITtxLI/AAAAAAAALGI/MFuiMICDZMcFTBxoAvP-GDbWGx1zaoGyACLcBGAs/s1600/Mario.jpg" /></a>EA's latest scandal, in which EA made a video game with so many micro transactions some reports say that a person would need to spend around $2100 in order to play the whole game, has got me thinking: Do I need to keep buying video games? Any AAA game I buy anymore inundates me with invitations to spend money on in-game currency, DLC and general upgrades in order to get the "Full experience". Even Pokemon has its own version by releasing the next game before I finished the last one.<br /><br />Even if I do choose to ignore it some of these games insidiously sneak in little incentives to get you to put more money in their creators pockets. Injustice 2, one of my favorite games this year, wants me to spend $30 to unlock the coloring slider for one character. A COLOR!<br /><br />Frankly, i'm sick of it. I don't have the most extensive game library, in fact I usually only get 1 maybe 2 new major games a year, but I feel that's about the same as the average consumer. Buying a video game for me is the result of months of anticipation, watching trailers, saving money, then reading reviews from both consumers and video game critics before deciding if the game is worth my time and money, and after all that to then be asked to kick them another $20 for some extra piece is insulting.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-sScge0S8w/Wh2JUDojPXI/AAAAAAAALGM/2EJPpNostY099DMHlQcxG8KW58HK-6H9gCLcBGAs/s1600/Pokemon-Red-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="970" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-sScge0S8w/Wh2JUDojPXI/AAAAAAAALGM/2EJPpNostY099DMHlQcxG8KW58HK-6H9gCLcBGAs/s320/Pokemon-Red-Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />This whole incident has lead me to the thought: If all AAA gaming can do is offer to sell me a bulk of a game and say that I can have the rest at a later date if I pay for it, and it looks like the trend is going to only get worse, do I need to keep buying video games?<br /><br />My parents were taking turns beating Mario before I was born, so I have literally played video games my entire life. Video games are as much a part of my identity as my faith, or my dark hair, so to question weather they need to still be part of my life is not a question I take lightly. I certainly won't be wanting for hobbies, what with my drawing, cross stitch, writing, board/card games, Lego collection, action figure collection, reading and film, but it would leave a hole where my PS4 controller used to fill nonetheless.<br /><br />Of course, my entire argument loses validity when just yesterday I spent $12 on the Witcher 3 DLC because it was on sale. Maybe if this is the trend of the future, I should just find games that I can deal with paying a little extra for DLC and accept it. Maybe eventually they'll find an easier way to pay for the microtransactions and DLC, like sending someone over to beat me up, take my lunch money and give me a wedgie.<br /><br />-JOE<br /><br /><br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05851723523424915491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-77872182630099989802017-11-26T11:34:00.001-08:002017-11-26T11:35:45.233-08:00The Power of FriendshipHave you ever had a cartoon or anime hit you right in the feels? That's one reason why I loved Digimon as a kid, and why I've started rewatching it almost 20 years later<br /><div><img height="154" src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/lego-dimensions-customs/images/5/55/Digimon_logo_vector_by_3prsta-d9a4yb9.png/revision/latest?cb=20161006194437" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin: auto;" width="320" /><br /><div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5a/c4/04/5ac404d00a3df570b4b862445ed782ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5a/c4/04/5ac404d00a3df570b4b862445ed782ab.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin-top: auto;" width="150" /></a>One episode that really connected with me and my own personal life experiences as I've rewatched the series is in Season 1, Part 2, Episode 30 -- the episode entitled "The Crest of Friendship"<br /><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite characters from the show, Matt, is walking along in a dark cave accompanied by his trusty sidekick and Digimon partner Gabumon.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100211005851/digimon/images/3/30/Adventure_Epi51-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100211005851/digimon/images/3/30/Adventure_Epi51-2.jpg" height="150" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin-top: auto;" width="200" /></a>Matt began to feel depressed as he reflected on the relationship he had with his little brother. He began to feel useless, and had his self-declared life purpose of taking care of his little brother TK challenged by recent events. TK is growing up and Matt doesn't know how to handle it.</div><div><br /></div><div>A darkness consumes him, but his friend Gabumon stays with him and reminds him who he is, and what he means to not only Gabumon, but the rest of the Digi-Destined.</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>With the help of his friend, the darkness leaves him and a dark cloud begins swirling above him. He didn't realize until after the fact just how much the darkness was consuming him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of friendship, the power of darkness is shattered.&nbsp;</div><div><img height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qz97txKmJ9U/TriJM1pRcDI/AAAAAAAAAQM/wFkSEjadoAw/s320/51a.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin: auto;" width="320" /><br /><br />Matt is a new man from this experience, and it is really cool to see how he uses the power of friendship in the fight against Piedmon.<br /><br /></div><div>Turning to the personal side of things, I see myself in Matt in this episode. I've often struggled with feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression. In fact, I still fight the battle against mental illness.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Various times throughout the past two to three years I've been consumed by darkness and have been in some pretty low places emotionally and mentally. But what has made the difference is the friends that have walked in that cave with me. They reassured me of my value and self-worth. They have demonstrated in word and deed what it means to "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."</div><div><span id="goog_200954551"></span><span id="goog_200954552"></span><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I've had some really dark days, but because of friendship, the power of darkness in my life has been shattered. Many friends, scattered across the years, have acted as the hands of Christ to minister to me in my own Gethsemanes</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFlsbVv_aJY/WhsVW8SPwQI/AAAAAAAASeg/WobJ--y_UKIm3yHzY9BO6SoM7FfNjJtDQCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFlsbVv_aJY/WhsVW8SPwQI/AAAAAAAASeg/WobJ--y_UKIm3yHzY9BO6SoM7FfNjJtDQCLcBGAs/s320/Photo%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPZzIujzHoE/WhsVYMHhD1I/AAAAAAAASeo/0yHYwUkD9gMVEQeX0q65VdnLGA8RpjVyQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPZzIujzHoE/WhsVYMHhD1I/AAAAAAAASeo/0yHYwUkD9gMVEQeX0q65VdnLGA8RpjVyQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIJyPBl7eV4/WhsTMuw0kkI/AAAAAAAASd8/EDrQrFlIVeIJtDRz-bVnsAcYG8xIRns1QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIJyPBl7eV4/WhsTMuw0kkI/AAAAAAAASd8/EDrQrFlIVeIJtDRz-bVnsAcYG8xIRns1QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDU0119sJvY/WhsTNw3K8GI/AAAAAAAASeM/8A_B0o2nEBAPcO11UXFx86OU9qlVtSJIgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDU0119sJvY/WhsTNw3K8GI/AAAAAAAASeM/8A_B0o2nEBAPcO11UXFx86OU9qlVtSJIgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J4EvYtdxWQ/WhsTNeZ39eI/AAAAAAAASeI/HNfuAW_DRggj_PjzsKPJWS2G99MmNftdwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J4EvYtdxWQ/WhsTNeZ39eI/AAAAAAAASeI/HNfuAW_DRggj_PjzsKPJWS2G99MmNftdwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0887.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4ILQ6-IlI/WhsTNCTG7yI/AAAAAAAASeE/G0xW4M2DXD06a8kvhU3Qbc2-lYonI7xoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MP4ILQ6-IlI/WhsTNCTG7yI/AAAAAAAASeE/G0xW4M2DXD06a8kvhU3Qbc2-lYonI7xoQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIj9fYHoNUk/WhsTORF5NCI/AAAAAAAASeQ/ILftaiZ5yvcegizRfWNl5oCkSI6DSCOIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIj9fYHoNUk/WhsTORF5NCI/AAAAAAAASeQ/ILftaiZ5yvcegizRfWNl5oCkSI6DSCOIwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q34a1m1eqMc/WhsTNGC93TI/AAAAAAAASeA/SjiRsV8YzUUPragdf7XWDexAkSnBUHMSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q34a1m1eqMc/WhsTNGC93TI/AAAAAAAASeA/SjiRsV8YzUUPragdf7XWDexAkSnBUHMSQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3faxpQ8-H2U/WhsTOf_fkjI/AAAAAAAASeY/JL8BCpWKHncjrOBRRLT3px3dOf4WcDAogCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3faxpQ8-H2U/WhsTOf_fkjI/AAAAAAAASeY/JL8BCpWKHncjrOBRRLT3px3dOf4WcDAogCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_1116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I am comforted to know through modern revelation the following eternal truth -- that friendship is not meant just for this earthly existence, but for eternity:</div><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;zoram&quot; , &quot;noto sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;zoram&quot; , &quot;noto sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>“That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory”&nbsp;</b></i></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;zoram&quot; , &quot;noto sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>(D&amp;C 130:2)</b></i></span><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: &quot;open sans&quot; , &quot;zoram&quot; , &quot;noto sans&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="https://orig00.deviantart.net/ef24/f/2011/290/f/6/the_crest_of_friendship_by_alijameel-d4d4uhw.png" style="-webkit-user-select: none; display: block; margin: auto;" width="400" /><br /><br /><h2></h2><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div></div></div>Bradleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603818695571463273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5350783821016198693.post-19682323663185649642017-11-22T16:45:00.000-08:002018-01-28T16:47:16.036-08:00Marvel Cinematic Universe: Part 7<div class="MsoNormal">So it’s been a year since my last Marvel Cinematic Universe post, so here’s back to it, especially with all the MCU stuff we got this year. Guardians of the Galaxy 2, more Agents of SHIELD, the Defenders, the Inhumans, Thor Ragnarok, and still more to come. So here’s another installment of what Marvel’s done for us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Agents of SHIELD: Season 2 (Episodes 12-16)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrJZhxEj6SU/WhN-bcDakWI/AAAAAAAAIB4/weM-kAuUshIKYHd_Rsx4Q2AgbXlv5pHYQCLcBGAs/s1600/lady%2Bsif.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GrJZhxEj6SU/WhN-bcDakWI/AAAAAAAAIB4/weM-kAuUshIKYHd_Rsx4Q2AgbXlv5pHYQCLcBGAs/s320/lady%2Bsif.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I enjoyed having Lady Sif return for another episode.</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><b>12. Who You Really Are:</b> A Kree comes to Earth to investigate the diviner. SHIELD teams up with amnesiac Lady Sif to find him. He explains the connection between the Kree and the Inhumans. Fitz lies to Simmons about Skye’s bloodwork. Skye accidentally reveals her powers to her team. After Sif and the Kree leave, in a moment of panic Mack abducts Hunter.</li><li><b>13. One of Us:</b>Mack keeps an eye on Hunter while Coulson puts Skye on the Index, with the help of Dr. Garner, May’s ex-husband. Meanwhile, Cal recruits a group of people from the Index to fight SHILED. Cal’s team faces off against Coulson and his team. Cal is taken by a teleporter named Gordon. Mack introduces Hunter to the “real SHIELD”.</li><li><b>14. Love in the Time of HYDRA:</b> At Garner’s recommendation, Skye is taken from active duty. Ward and Agent 33 look for the man who can fix her mask. He fixes it so she can mimic people again. They retrieve Bakshi. Hunter meets Gonzales, the SHIELD faction leader.</li><li><b>15. One Door Closes:</b>The day SHIELD fell, SHIELD agents including Gonzales, Bobbi, and Mack begin to form a separate faction of SHIELD from Coulsen. In the present, Coulsen and May confront Mack and Bobbi respectively. An EMP enables them to escape. Gordon visits Skye at the safehouse. He later saves her from Bobbi’s team. Coulsen and Hunter team up.</li><li><b>16. Afterlife:</b>The Inhumans of the settlement Afterlife treat Skye. Mike Peterson teams up with Coulsen and Hunter to fight Gonzales’s faction. Fitz and Simmons steal back Fury’s toolbox. Skye confronts Raina, but is stopped by Jiaying. Coulsen looks to Ward to help take back SHIELD.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrKzzIQCwoE/WhN-lYfxapI/AAAAAAAAIB8/zBEMxilRvjMWwaGhbUEFKubtem2r_yt7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Afterlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrKzzIQCwoE/WhN-lYfxapI/AAAAAAAAIB8/zBEMxilRvjMWwaGhbUEFKubtem2r_yt7QCLcBGAs/s320/Afterlife.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skye gets introduced to Afterlife in order to control her powers</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>In “Who You Really Are”, Lady Sif mentions that Odin sent her on a mission. As seen in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-4.html">Thor: The Dark World</a>”, it’s not really Odin, but Loki instead.</li><li>Coulson’s huge gun that he used on Loki in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/06/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-3.html">The Avengers</a>” reappears in “Who You Really Are”.</li><li>The flashbacks of “One Door Closes” take place concurrently with “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/08/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-5.html">Captain America: The Winter Soldier</a>” and the SHIELD episode “Turn, Turn, Turn”.</li><li>It was noted that the safehouse that Skye stays in was previously utilized by Bruce Banner (The Hulk) and Steve Rogers (Captain America).</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">To be fair: this part of SHIELD is still where I was watching it on grave shifts, so I through the fluff fast. In the middle of it, I enjoyed this small chunk of SHIELD. However, I also don’t care for it, looking back. Other than being the part where Skye began to learn to control her powers, it was inconsequential. A few episodes later, when season 3 begins, I hardly even remember there being two factions of SHIELD. I guess it had to happen though to lead the season to where it ended.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Daredevil: Season 1 (Episodes 1-13)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">So it’s unclear where Daredevil and the other Netflix series fall in the MCU timeline, so I’m just going to place them where they aired. All we really know is that they happened after “The Avengers”, since they mention the Battle of New York at times. Also, since the Netflix shows are a bit edgier and since many of our readers may be conservative Christians, I’ll be giving some “parental guidance” notes for each episode. IMDB typically has a REALLY good parent guide, for details more specific than mine. It’s kind of sparse on these episodes, so add to it if you’ve watched the season.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVByf5XC-B8/WhN-608ywZI/AAAAAAAAICE/bF99cuznNOQR6x0sO1jHmDJ-_TPvFCcfACLcBGAs/s1600/cut%2Bman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVByf5XC-B8/WhN-608ywZI/AAAAAAAAICE/bF99cuznNOQR6x0sO1jHmDJ-_TPvFCcfACLcBGAs/s320/cut%2Bman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Devil of Hell's Kitchen" started out basically in PJs.</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><b>1.&nbsp; Into the Ring: </b>Nine-year-old Matt Murdock loses his vision in an accident but gets super senses. In the present day (some time the Battle of New York) a masked Matt fights crime. In the daylight, Matt and his partner/best friend Foggy take on the case of Karen Page. That night, the masked Matt saves Karen from a thug. Karen becomes Foggy and Matt’s secretary to pay them back. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>References to sex trafficking; Side-breast/bare back woman; blood and profanity)</li><li><b>2. Cut Man:</b> In flashbacks, we see that Matt looked up to his boxer dad Jack. In the present day, Matt gets injured saving a boy and is helped by Claire Temple. Meanwhile, Foggy helps Karen adjust to New York City. Later, Matt hunts down Russian thugs to save a young boy. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>blood and profanity; references to human traficking)</li><li><b>3. Rabbit in a Snow Storm:</b>A vicious fight happens at the bowling alley. Matt lies about his scars to Foggy and Karen. Matt takes the case of the man from the bowling alley (Healey). Union Allied bribes Karen. After getting him free in court, Matt takes on Healey to learn he’s working for Wilson Fisk. Fisk meets Vanessa. Karen goes to Urich for help against Union Allied. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>lots of violence and blood in the bowling scene)</li><li><b>4. In the Blood:</b>Eight years ago, the Ranskahov brothers escape Russia and come to NYC. Claire helps Matt again. Urich reluctantly agrees to help Karen. Fisk goes on a date with Vanessa. The Ranskahov brothers take a job to find the masked Matt, using Claire as bait. Fisk kills one of the brothers for interrupting his date. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>blood and gore when Fisk kills the Ranskahov brother)</li><li><b>5. World on Fire:</b>Fisk and Gao meet with their crime organization. Matt helps stitch up Claire. Matt and Foggy take on the case of Elena Cardenas. Masked Matt looks for intelligence on Fisk. Vanessa goes on another date with Fisk. After a couple explosions, the police find the Masked Matt.</li><li><b>6. Condemned:</b>Matt escapes from the police. One of the Russian brothers gets tortured. Matt tends to his wounds. Matt interrogates Ranskahov. Fisk contact Matt. SWAT officers get fought off by Matt as he and Ranskahov escape. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>blood during torture)</li><li><b>7. Stick:</b> As a kid, after his father’s death, Matt gets trained by Stick. In the present, after an unfortunate encounter, Matt reunites with Stick. Karen touches base with Urich. Stick asks for Matt’s help to stop the Black Sky. Matt rescues a young child from the Japanese. Karen recruits Foggy to help Urich. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>references to child trafficking with the Japanese)</li><li><b>8. Shadows in the Glass:</b>In the past, as Fisk’s father loses the local election, he beats his wife. Fisk ends up killing his father. Karen and Foggy let Matt know about their investigation. Gao confronts Fisk. Before Urich can out Fisk’s actions, Fisk appears on TV calling the masked man (Matt) a terrorist. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>Violence and blood)</li><li><b>9. Speak of the Devil:</b>Karen, Foggy, and Urich meet about Fisk’s press conference. After Elena’s death, Matt decides to kill Fisk, but Fisk beats him. Matt escapes and is found out as the masked man by Foggy.</li><li><b>10. Nelson v. Murdock:</b> Years before the series, Foggy and Matt become friends at Columbia University. In the present, Foggy confronts Matt about being the masked man. Urich gets a promotion. Karen takes Urich to see Fisk’s mother. The guests at Fisk’s fundraiser get poisoned.</li><li><b>11. The Path of the Righteous: </b>Fisk gets help for Vanessa. Matt gets Potter to make a suit for him. Fisk finds out that Urich and Karen visited his mother. Karen gets kidnapped, but ends up escaping by killing her attacker. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>violence)</li><li><b>12. The Ones We Leave Behind:</b> Karen suffers from nightmares after her kidnapping. Foggy gives Marci evidence against Fisk. Matt finds Gao’s warehouse. Matt comforts Karen. Ellison fires Urich. Fisk kills Urich for visiting his mother. (<b>Parental Guidance: </b>violence)</li><li><b>13. Daredevil:</b>Matt and Karen attend Urich’s funeral. Gao leaves town. Foggy and Matt get Fisk’s men arrested. He escapes. Matt gets his new suit and faces off against Fisk and he’s taken into custody. Matt, in his new armor, is dubbed Daredevil by the press.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9hkxCg_fbA/WhN_apyZcqI/AAAAAAAAICQ/sOlntYM7MGYTOEJq4PC-ltZ3l6ryXMyPQCLcBGAs/s1600/daredevil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9hkxCg_fbA/WhN_apyZcqI/AAAAAAAAICQ/sOlntYM7MGYTOEJq4PC-ltZ3l6ryXMyPQCLcBGAs/s320/daredevil.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't until after Fisk was beaten that Matt officially became "Daredevil".</td></tr></tbody></table>Random Trivia/Connections:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Multiple times, beginning in the premiere, the Battle of New York gets mentioned, placing the events of Daredevil after “The Avengers”.</li><li>Carl Creel is mentioned in “Into the Ring”, “Cut Man”, and “Stick”. He first appeared in “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/10/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-6.html">Shadows</a>” on Agents of SHIELD.</li><li>The truck whose chemicals blinded Matt was a “Rand Oil and Chemicals” vehicle. We’ll see more of Rand in “Iron Fist”.</li><li>The Steel Serpent logo first appeared in “Into the Ring” which later appears on “Iron Fist”.</li><li>The <a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/2016/04/marvel-cinematic-universe-part-2.html">battle between Hulk and Abomination</a> is referenced in an article in “Rabbit in a Snow Storm”, “Stick”, and “Nelson v. Murdock”.</li><li>“In the Blood” briefly mentions Thor’s hammer as “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Thor">magic hammer</a>” and Iron Man’s armor as an “<a href="http://www.mormongeeks.com/search/label/Iron%20Man">iron suit</a>”. Tony Stark is also alluded to in “World on Fire” as “one of those billionaire playboys”.</li><li>In “Nelson v. Murdock”, Matt’s Greek girlfriend is mentioned. She later appears in Season 2 as Elektra.</li><li>Cybertek, a company that features prominently in Agents of SHIELD Season 1, is shown in a clipping in “The Ones We Leave Behind”.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">As of the end of “The Defenders”, this season of Daredevil isn’t in my top three seasons of Marvel Netflix. As far as plot, it was well paced. I had a difficult time getting into it, but I enjoyed “Jessica Jones” and “Iron Fist” more (we’ll get to those later). I didn’t particularly care for the violence. I feel like I could have gotten just as much out of the show without seeing the gore. That being said, obviously something went well with this series, since we have so many more Marvel Netflix shows now.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">That's all the MCU stuff for now. By next week I'll be done the Seventh Doctor, so be looking forward to the last of the Classic Doctors (unless you count the Eighth Doctor, but we'll get to that later).&nbsp;</div>Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02478988585485347557noreply@blogger.com0